The Giants’ quarterback picture got complicated fast, and now a familiar veteran name is starting to hover over the conversation.
Jaxson Dart’s exit from Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams looked bad from the jump. The left knee injury was first believed to be a sprained MCL, which at least left room for hope that the absence would be short. But Tuesday’s further testing reportedly painted a more serious picture, with Dart potentially facing a lengthy absence or even the rest of the season.
Jameis Winston has already taken over the starting job for now, but that only solves the immediate problem. If Dart’s recovery drags on for months, the Giants may have to look beyond the current depth chart.
That’s where Joe Flacco has entered the discussion.
The 41-year-old Super Bowl winner is currently backing up Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, but his name has surfaced as a possible option for New York. The appeal is obvious.
Flacco won Super Bowl XLVII under Harbaugh in Baltimore and spent more than a decade in that system, so the connection is already there. He also put together strong stretches with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts before landing with the Bengals.
Last season, Flacco earned his first Pro Bowl nod after stepping in and producing for Burrow. Even at 41, he’s shown he can still run an offense when called upon.
Still, there are real obstacles. Cincinnati values him as insurance, especially with Burrow’s injury history, and a FOX Sports analysis noted that while Flacco would be an upgrade for New York, he’s still unlikely to be moved while the Bengals are pursuing their own season goals.
He’s not the only name being floated. Jimmy Garoppolo is another possible free-agent option if the Giants decide they need more depth behind Winston. But Flacco’s mix of experience and his connection to the coaching staff has kept him near the top of the speculative list.
For now, the Giants are waiting on the full timeline for Dart and focusing on the next few games. Any real move for Flacco would need Cincinnati’s approval, along with a clear plan for what comes next. At this stage, it’s only a rumor - but it’s a rumor with enough substance to keep circling.
In Other News...
Giants Suddenly Have A QB Opening Worth Watching Closely
Jaxson Darts knee injury has changed the Giants quarterback picture quickly, and it has pushed the team into a familiar kind of midseason search. With Dart expected to miss an extended stretch and possibly the rest of the season, New York is looking at what it can reasonably do behind Jameis Winston, who is now the backup holding the job by default.
Joe Milton III has emerged as a name to watch because the Giants are considering moving the Dallas Cowboys practice squad quarterback onto the active roster. A 2024 draft pick with limited NFL experience, Milton drew attention with a strong preseason, and New Yorks next move could say plenty about how aggressively it wants to address a depth chart that suddenly looks thinner than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
JJ McCarthy Just Got Pulled Into A Surprise Giants Scenario
Jaxson Darts knee injury has created a sudden bit of uncertainty for the Giants, and the timing could hardly be worse. What had been framed as a young quarterback situation now comes with the possibility that Darts recovery might stretch into season-ending surgery, forcing the organization to reassess what the depth chart should look like if the injury sidelines him for a long time.
Into that uncertainty has drifted Minnesota quarterback JJ McCarthy, whose name is now being tied to a possible Giants pursuit as a backup or even replacement option. There has been no public word from the Giants about any interest, and any move would hinge on how Dart heals and whether Minnesota would even be willing to talk, but the injury has at least opened the door to a scenario New York probably did not expect to face this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Have A QB Depth Problem Steelers Could Solve
Jaxson Darts knee injury has left the Giants in a difficult spot, and the uncertainty around his return this season only sharpens the concern. For a team trying to keep its quarterback room stable, losing a young passer at this point forces the front office to look at every possible backup plan, especially with the season still hanging in the balance.
Mason Rudolph is one name that naturally comes into the conversation because the Steelers are carrying four quarterbacks on their active roster and he has been viewed as a possible trade candidate. If Pittsburgh decides it can afford to move one, the Giants could be a logical fit as they look to add depth and avoid being caught thin at the most important position on the field. [Read more 🡒]