Ever since Jaxson Dart took over as the starting quarterback of the New York Giants, Jameis Winston has been QB3 on the depth chart, which is putting his time with the franchise in jeopardy. The rumor mill has been swirling, but Minnesota is emerging as a probable landing spot for the former No. 1 pick.
After Carson Wentz underwent shoulder surgery that ended his 2025 season, the Vikings are looking to add a seasoned backup behind J.J. McCarthy. Not only is Famous Jameis the perfect mentor for a young quarterback like McCarthy, he is a viable starter if his ankle issues persist.
Not only did Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reportedly inquire about Winston, he also reached out to general manager Joe Schoen about Russell Wilson. With Dart representing the present and future at the position, it's quickly becoming clear that one of the two veterans could be on the chopping block before the deadline.
The #Vikings have reportedly reached out to the Giants on the availability Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 28, 2025
They prefer Winston but the Giants have no plans to trade him currently. pic.twitter.com/Qa3DVR3fH8
QB-desperate Vikings are interested in trading for Giants backup QBs
While it seems highly unlikely that Big Blue would actually part with their 10-time Pro Bowl backup, Winston is another story. The former Heisman Trophy winner signed a two-year deal with the Giants this offseason, but has yet to take a regular-season snap in blue and white.
Despite starting seven games for the Browns in 2024, the Florida State product hasn't served as a full-time starter since before the COVID-19 pandemic. For reference, Pat Shurmur was still coaching the G-Men at that time.
In those seven starts, Winston threw 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, which is the latest proof of the player he's developed into. The 31-year-old is still a solid downfield passer, but he's slow as molasses and his reckless decision-making has always been a concern.
With that said, it could be tough for Schoen to want to part with Winston. He's become an instant fan favorite, has done a masterful job helping mentor the first-round rookie, and his contract has more team control than Wilson's, who will be a free agent this offseason.
Moreover, he's also younger, and it would be unlikely that the G-Men are able to net any more than a Day 3 pick in a trade for him, which doesn't make things worth it. The current QB room provides head coach Brian Daboll with the flexibility and stability he needs to help Dart thrive, and that's what he's mostly done so far.
If Schoen doesn't budge, Minnesota could also be interested in other veteran QBs such as Kenny Pickett or Aidan O'Connell from the Raiders, Kirk Cousins from the Falcons, and Zach Wilson from the Dolphins. After all, they revived the career of one former Jets bust, so why not another?
What goes down before Tuesday's deadline has yet to be seen, but Schoen and Daboll will be faced with some difficult decisions.