Giants leave door open to trade for a backup quarterback following Jaxson Dart’s devastating injury

T he New York Giants entered the season hoping second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart could provide stability and long-term optimism at the most important position in sports. Instead, just two weeks into the campaign, the franchise is confronting a far different reality.

Dart was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair damage to his meniscus and MCL, forcing the Giants to rethink their plans and accelerating questions about who should lead the offense moving forward.

For now, the answer is Jameis Winston

The former No. 1 overall pick stepped in after Dart suffered the injury during New York’s Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The results were less than encouraging. Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and threw an interception as the Giants managed only six points in a 28-6 defeat.

One difficult relief appearance is hardly enough to evaluate Winston’s chances of succeeding as a starter, but it was enough to spark speculation around the league about whether New York could seek additional help under center.

According to reports from NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, along with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants are exploring veteran quarterback options. Head coach John Harbaugh added fuel to those reports when he said that “all options are open” at the position. That leaves several intriguing names potentially entering the conversation.

Justin Fields may be the most physically gifted option available. The former first-round pick remains one of the league’s most dangerous running quarterbacks and has shown flashes of high-end play throughout his career. His athleticism could immediately change the complexion of New York’s offense , especially behind an offensive line that has struggled at times in pass protection.

The challenge with Fields has always been consistency as a passer. While he can create explosive plays with both his arm and legs, teams have repeatedly questioned whether he can operate efficiently within a structured passing attack over a full season. For a Giants team looking for stability after losing Dart, Fields would represent both significant upside and considerable risk.

Mac Jones presents a different profile

The former Alabama star and first-round pick revived some of his value last season while filling in for Brock Purdy. Unlike Fields, Jones is not going to overwhelm defenses with athleticism. Instead, his appeal lies in his ability to distribute the ball quickly, operate within timing concepts and limit mistakes when surrounded by talent.

Jones has experienced a turbulent NFL journey since his promising rookie season, but his recent performance as a backup suggested he could still be a viable starter in the right environment. For a Giants team seeking a steady hand rather than a home-run swing, Jones could be one of the more logical targets.

Like Dart, McCarthy entered the NFL with significant expectations. Injuries and roster decisions have complicated his early professional development, and reports indicate he is among the quarterbacks who could draw interest from New York .

McCarthy would represent more than a short-term replacement. At just 23 years old, he could potentially become part of the franchise’s future plans if given an opportunity. However, acquiring a young quarterback with developmental upside is often more complicated than pursuing a veteran backup, making any potential move dependent on availability and cost.

Gardner Minshew remains another name linked to the Giants. Unlike some of the younger options, Minshew has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable reserve quarterbacks. He has started games for multiple franchises, kept teams competitive during injury crises and demonstrated an ability to quickly learn new systems.

Minshew may not possess the ceiling of Fields or McCarthy, but his experience could be attractive for a team trying to remain competitive while navigating a difficult situation. The common thread among all of these names is that each has started NFL games and each has experienced setbacks that altered the trajectory of his career.

Fields, Jones and McCarthy were all first-round selections viewed at one point as franchise quarterbacks. Minshew has consistently exceeded expectations despite never receiving that level of draft pedigree. For now, though, the Giants’ quarterback room still belongs to Winston.