Giants QB Jameis Winston Faces Backlash Over Second Career Before NFL Season
While the season didn't go as planned for the New York Giants, they did figure out that Jaxson Dart was their No. 1 quarterback. Meanwhile, their third-string QB Jameis Winston did make a name for himself with the chances he received throughout the season. He is now under fire over his recent commitment to Fox.
Though being a backup to Dart and Russell Wilson would mean less game time, Winston did play in three games. He started against the Packers in Week 11, which they eventually lost 20-27. While his on-field career wasn't the most remarkable, the 31-year-old has been making a name for himself in broadcasting.
Winston was announced as the latest name to join Fox's coverage for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. He will serve as a special correspondent. This isn't the first time the former Heisman Trophy winner has worked in coverage.
Winston first showed off his media skills during Super Bowl LIX, where he worked with Fox Sports' digital team. The Giants QB also signed a new deal with Fox in December of last year. This sparked questions about whether Winston's days in the NFL are numbered.
He was even featured as a special correspondent for MLB's Opening Night on Netflix. While many have liked his broadcasting career, some felt upset over the decision to choose him for the upcoming mega event. "Has a soccer player ever covered American football before?", one critic questioned on X.
Another fan pointed out how Winston "has nothing to do with the sport". One fan suggested names of veteran soccer commentators to Fox. "Can we get a peter drury or ray hudson type commentary for the big games in the worldcup please?", the fan wrote, while another added, "Fox you dont care about soccer fans".
One user alleged that Fox has been presenting the World Cup "like no one cares". Fox and Winston continued to catch strays as a sixth social media user added, "They're going to make the World Cup unwatchable". Nonetheless, Winston remained unbothered by the backlash. "World Cup here we come!!", the QB wrote on Instagram while announcing his upcoming gig.
Earlier this week, Fox announced their studio line-up, which consists of soccer legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, and Javier Hernandez, to name a few. While Winston's role isn't directly tied to analyzing the sport, it is instead meant to add more entertainment through player interviews.
Despite the criticism, the QB's past experience does indicate he could excel in the role. Perhaps this could only be the start of Winston's future as a broadcaster for NFL coverage.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 9:38 AM.