Giants eye Garoppolo as Winston struggles in Dart’s absence

Key points

• Jaxson Dart is out for the season with MCL, PCL, and meniscus damage from a Week 2 loss to the Rams.
• Jameis Winston, signed to a two-year, $13 million extension, is the current starter but has thrown three interceptions in 93 attempts.
• Jimmy Garoppolo, a 34-year-old free agent, is the top target due to his experience and low interception rate.
• Giants head coach John Harbaugh stated that 'all options are open' for adding a veteran quarterback.
• The team will likely wait to see how Winston performs against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 before finalizing a move.

Background

The Giants faced a quarterback crisis after Jaxson Dart suffered a severe knee injury during a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. Initial reports suggested a potential return, but subsequent testing revealed damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, leading to a season-ending diagnosis. Jameis Winston, who had a rough relief appearance, was signed to a two-year, $13 million extension to serve as the starter. The team has since placed Dart on the injured reserve list and is actively seeking to bolster their quarterback room.

How outlets are covering it

Big Blue View and The New York Post emphasize the mutual interest between the Giants and Jimmy Garoppolo, noting that NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo believes Garoppolo would be interested in the Giants' situation. The New York Post highlights Garoppolo's superior ball security, citing a 2.7% career interception rate compared to Winston's 3.5%. NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.co broaden the scope by mentioning other potential targets, such as Gardner Minshew (who has a connection to Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy) and Mac Jones (who would be a premium trade target). While Big Blue View suggests the Giants are not in a rush to replace Winston, NBC Sports notes that Schefter believes the team will evaluate Winston's Week 3 performance before making a final decision. All sources agree that the Giants are prioritizing a veteran 'been there, done that' option to stabilize the offense.

Why it matters

The Giants' quarterback situation is critical for their playoff hopes and overall team stability. A failure to secure a reliable veteran could leave the team vulnerable to further injuries or poor performance, potentially jeopardizing their season. The decision to add a quarterback like Garoppolo could provide the experience and stability needed to navigate the rest of the season, while also influencing the team's long-term roster decisions and draft strategy.

What to watch

The Giants will evaluate Jameis Winston's performance in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. If Winston continues to struggle or gets injured, the team is expected to move forward with signing Jimmy Garoppolo or pursuing a trade for another veteran quarterback. The Giants are also monitoring the availability of other free agents and trade candidates, such as Gardner Minshew and Mac Jones, to ensure they have the best possible option for the remainder of the season.