“Man, I think he’s just an amazing young quarterback and I’m so excited — I see a lot of myself when I watch him. Just his joy, his charisma with his teammates, his ability to make every throw on the field. And it’s just exciting to watch and support him and be there for him.”
Veteran New York Giants QB Jameis Winston had some strong words for his support of rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The Giants traded back into the first round to select Dart at pick No. 25 in this past draft, signalling his status as the quarterback of the future in New York. Currently, veteran Russell Wilson is the starter for the Giants, but Dart has impressed throughout training camp and the preseason, both on and off the field.
“I don’t know if it’s uncommon, but I believe it’s required,” Winston said on Dart’s contagious work ethic in the Giants locker room. “You know, he’s not waiting for his moment, he’s preparing to be the very best. And I think that’s just his makeup. He’s been working hard his whole life, so why stop now?”
New York Giants QB Jameis Winston on How Young Quarterbacks Benefit From Sitting Behind Veterans
Ishika Samant/GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 21: Jameis Winston #19, Tommy DeVito #15, Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants celebrate after the second half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 42-10. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
“I think it’s a tremendous benefit because of the experience,” he said. “You know how they say, ‘I would rather learn from someone else making a mistake than experience it myself.’ And some may say, ‘I want to experience it for myself,’ but I think at the quarterback position, you see the same thing over and over again. It’s just like the same picture.”
“So being able to be in a quarterback room with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who’s seen everything under the sun [in Wilson], being in the room with a first pick of the NFL draft who’s been a starter in this league to being on [the veteran minimum contract, in Winston] — I think we bring him a lot of perspective, and we’re able to speak life into him and to give him everything that’s required. Because what I want for myself I want for everyone. And I want him to be his very best, I want Russ to be his very best, and that’s how we push each other.”
New York Giants QB Jameis Winston on What He Experienced in His Career
“Every time I think about [what I wanted], I always go back to how grateful I was that I got a chance to be with Ryan Fitzpatrick,” Winston said, reminiscing on his career. “You know, when he was in that room with me in Tampa, just the joy that he brought in the room. And then I got the opportunity with Drew Brees [in New Orleans], one of the best to ever do it.”
And now I’m with one of the best do ever do it in Russell Wilson [here in New York]. So it seems like it keeps happening for me. But I know eventually, it’s going to pay off with these young quarterbacks, like you’re seeing with [Packers QB] Jordan Love right now. Being able to take this time, and now he’s shining. So I think it’s good.”
Giants QB Delivers Strong Message on Jaxson Dart: ‘See a Lot of Myself’