Joe Schoen went into the offseason knowing the Giants needed a new plan at quarterback. If this team was going to move forward, sweeping changes had to follow. One Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart overhaul (and a Tommy DeVito return) later, and that’s exactly what he delivered.
Through two preseason games, the most shocking takeaway might be that all four quarterbacks have looked the part. Russ’ moon ball is back. Dart looks way ahead of schedule. Tommy Cutlets is spot-starter material. And Famous Jameis has been everything the team could’ve hoped for... and then some.
Related: 3 winners (and 3 losers) from Giants' impressive preseason win vs Jets
His personality and locker-room presence will always keep him employed. But his performance against the Jets is what just put him back in the starting quarterback conversation. Not in East Rutherford. That ship has sailed. But somewhere. Because Winston didn’t just look good, he ripped one of the best throws of the entire preseason and immediately found himself back in the middle of trade chatter.
Jameis Winston turning heads after strong preseason showing vs Jets
Late in the third quarter, Winston faced pressure coming up the middle. He tried to step up in the pocket, but its collapse forced him to roll right. With defenders caving in on him, he threw a dart to undrafted rookie Dalen Cambre on the sideline with one of the prettiest throws you'll see:
Jameis DEEP ball to Cambre 💪
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 17, 2025
📺: NBC4 pic.twitter.com/dEl3MlJtXp
The 34-yard strike was so much more than an electric play. It all but confirmed Winston still has starter juice, and could push Big Blue into an uncomfortable decision they weren’t planning to face.
Several things are working in favor of a Jameis trade:
1. Jaxson Dart's potential depth chart climb
When the unofficial depth chart came out, New York had Dart sitting third behind Winston. It'll be hard to keep the rookie in the third spot considering how well he's played, which could give the Giants more of a reason to move on.
2. Tommy (insert Italian food menu item here) DeVito's strong preseason
The fan favorite himself has done a remarkable job throwing (pun intended) his name back into the quarterback conversation. It always felt kind of like a gimmick rather than a "he actually deserves this," but that narrative is changing quickly. He's been very good.
DeVito himself is in an interesting position. He could be traded, too, if not sent to the practice squad. However, it's safe to assume he'd get picked up by another team immediately if that were to happen, based on his impressive play. Regardless, he can be the other backup option to Dart, making Jameis replaceable.
3. Trade value
This one is the simplest reason. Schoen might want to recoup some assets from the 31-year-old. It's unclear what assets another team would be willing to part ways with, but teams love acquiring draft capital and/or younger assets.
While those arguments hold some merit, there's no denying that Winston's veteran and wacky and chaotic, and vivacious presence has already done wonders for this locker room. Furthermore, the plan was to have Dart sit behind both Wilson and Winston. And so far, that plan has been going better than anyone could have expected.
Whatever comes of this, the G-Men should not and will not carry four quarterbacks on the roster heading into 2025. Do the roster math — four guys for three spots. That leaves one guy on the outside looking in. It's becoming clearer by the day that the Giants have four roster-worthy quarterbacks. It's puzzle time.
Jameis Winston was never part of the long-term plan, but he might be forcing the team to rethink their short-term one. If Dart keeps rising and the phones start ringing, Winston's preseason dime might’ve just been his last in blue.