Giants’ Jameis Winston gives honest thoughts on losing starting job originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Giants had to give Jameis Winston a chance to start after Jaxson Dart went down earlier in the season.
With Dart expected to miss the regular season and return for the playoffs, New York landed J.J. McCarthy in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
Landing McCarthy seemed to be a smart, low-risk decision from the Giants. There were questions about whether he would start, but there seemed to be a consensus that bringing him in was to give him the keys to the offense.
The Giants have officially decided to do that entering Week 7, placing Winston back on the bench as a backup.
He wasn't bad by any means as a backup quarterback, throwing for 957 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions, but the Giants clearly hope McCarthy will be better than that.
As for how Winston feels, he's found himself in this situation throughout other parts of his career. At 32, Winston is grateful to be with this organization and to accept his role on the team.
“Just focusing on one day at a time is the biggest thing,” Winston said, per SI.
“I’m extremely grateful that I still get to do what I love, and that’s play football at a high level for the New York Football Giants. And being able to accept roles and understand what your significant role is, and how you can be the best at your role with this team, is one of the things that you have to adjust to in this league.”
McCarthy learning from a guy like Winston can go a long way. While some aren't the biggest fans of what Winston has been through much of his career, there's no debating he's still been serviceable for much of his time in this league.
He hasn't been elite by any means, but there's a reason he's in his 12th season in the NFL, and it doesn't look like he's going to retire anytime soon unless he wants to.
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