John Harbaugh isn’t pretending the Giants can ride this out quietly at quarterback. He said the team is already moving toward outside help after Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury left New York scrambling for answers.
Dart was hurt in Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and the situation got worse once doctors dug into the knee injury. Additional testing showed damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus, ending his season and pushing the Giants into 2026 without their franchise quarterback.
When asked Wednesday whether the team would look at veteran options, Harbaugh didn’t dance around it.
“We will,” Harbaugh said, via video from SNY Giants. “We plan on doing that, absolutely.
Can’t say who at this point. We’re working on that.”
He made the point again later, leaving no ambiguity about where the search stands.
“All options are open,” Harbaugh said, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.
For now, Jameis Winston is the starter, and Harbaugh has already gone on record backing him. Winston’s first start was rough: he completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and did not throw a touchdown.
“Jameis is one of our guys who obviously is here for a reason,” Harbaugh said postgame. “He’s a very good football player.”
The outside speculation has already started to build. New York has been linked to several veteran possibilities, including a reunion with Joe Flacco, who won a Super Bowl under Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Jimmy Garoppolo has also been mentioned, though his status is murky because retirement has crossed his mind. Another name in the mix is Minnesota’s J.J.
McCarthy, with reports indicating the Vikings could be willing to move him at a discounted price this season.
Nothing is locked in yet, and Harbaugh stressed the Giants aren’t forcing the issue. New York is back on the field Sunday against the Titans, still searching for its long-term answer under center.
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Giants Suddenly Have A QB Opening Worth Watching Closely
Jaxson Darts knee injury has suddenly changed the quarterback picture for the Giants, and not in a way they wanted this early in the season. With Dart expected to miss an extended stretch, possibly the rest of the year, the team is left leaning on Jameis Winston as the backup while also surveying the market for another arm who can at least stabilize the depth chart.
Joe Milton III has emerged as a name worth watching because of his connection to the Cowboys practice squad and the promise he showed in the preseason. Drafted in 2024, he still has limited NFL experience, but the Giants appear to be weighing whether his upside makes him a better fit for active-roster help than simply staying put with what they have now. [Read more 🡒]
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Giants Return Already Has Fans Asking One Thing
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With the Giants starting quarterback leaving the game injured, the usage only sharpened the focus on Beckhams role. Fans could admire the flash, but the bigger question hanging over the return was what the Giants actually planned to do with him from here, and whether this was just a one-night nod or the start of something more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]
JJ McCarthy Just Got Pulled Into A Surprise Giants Scenario
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Into that mix comes an unexpected name: JJ McCarthy. The Vikings quarterback has been mentioned as a possible trade target for New York, whether as a backup plan or a more direct answer if Darts status keeps trending the wrong way. Nothing official has come from the Giants, and any real pursuit would hinge on both Darts recovery timeline and whether Minnesota is even open to discussing a deal. [Read more 🡒]