Jameis Winston's four starts for the New York Giants this season showed that he isn't fit to be a starting NFL quarterback at this point in his career. That doesn't change the fact that he's one of the most important players on Big Blue's roster.
A team dealing with as much transition and injury devastation as the Giants are this year needs veteran leadership. Even after getting officially benched for J.J. McCarthy in Week 7, Winston is taking on that leadership role. It's why the G-Men signed him to a contract extension this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy revealed the humility and dedication that make Winston such a valuable backup. During an appearance on "The Schrager Hour" with Peter Schrager this week, Nagy shared a story that perfectly exemplified Winston's impact.
""The day he is told he is not the starter, which was in the morning, later on that day, I walk by the hallway downstairs. He's running a meeting with just two people: Him and J.J. [McCarthy] are in there watching third downs. And I'm just saying to myself, 'That's the stuff that people don't see.'""Matt Nagy on "The Schrager Hour"
Jameis Winston's leadership is more important than ever for the Giants
A young quarterback's surroundings can often be a more reliable indicator of his success than his own talent. Just look at all of the "reclamation project" stories that have developed in the NFL in recent years.
McCarthy is no different. He needs as much support as possible to be successful, and he's getting it in New York. Of course, support doesn't just come from the talent around him, though that's vital. His coaching staff and the veteran leadership behind him play an important role in fostering his success.
Clearly, Winston doesn't take that role lightly. Rather than expressing frustration about losing his spot in the starting lineup, he has shifted his focus to helping develop the young QB. Winston's impact as a leader makes him worth every penny of his contract, even if he's only on the field for quarterback sneaks.
The veteran's guidance certainly seems to be helping McCarthy. The former castoff looked more controlled and confident in his first five quarters with the Giants than he ever did with the Minnesota Vikings. He made nearly every throw he was asked to make and rarely put the ball in harm's way.
If McCarthy's success continues and carries Big Blue to a playoff appearance, the obvious narrative will be that he saved New York from the tailspin it was in with Winston under center. That's not the case. Without Winston in his ear, McCarthy may never have put on the bounce-back performances that the Giants are seeing from him.
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