Man Down with the G-Men. What’s next for the New York Giants in 2026?
Written by Joshua Gallatin on October 5, 2026
In the opening drive of the September 21 matchup between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart fell awkwardly on his knee after being pancaked by a couple of defenders. It was a third-and-8 play that ended in an incompletion to tight end Theo Johnson. Dart was taken back to the locker room, and the Rams went on to win 28-6.
The Injury
Multiple NFL insiders originally reported that the Giants thought it was an MCL sprain, which had the world thinking Dart would only be out four to six weeks. A day later, it turned out to be a lot worse. He had damage to his MCL, PCL, and meniscus, the last of which is believed to be the big issue.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Dart’s regular season is done, but he hopes to get him back for the playoffs should the team make it. Dart is scheduled to have season-ending surgery soon.
Who’s Under Center
With Dart sidelined, the only quarterback on the active roster is Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in 2015 by the Buccaneers out of Florida State. Winston played for the Saints from 2020 to 2023, the Browns in 2024, and the Giants a year ago.
On the practice squad, the Giants also have former Saints fourth-round pick Jake Haener out of Fresno State, whom they could elevate now that there’s a spot open on the 53-man roster. At this time, it seems the Giants will stick with Winston, who got a contract extension days before the season started.
Other Options
But suppose it doesn’t work out with Winston as QB1, since he is historically prone to throwing interceptions. What other options do the G-Men really have? They could sign or trade for another quarterback.
One name experts have discussed is Jimmy Garoppolo, who was recently on the Rams and has a history as a starting quarterback for the Raiders and the 49ers, having led the latter to Super Bowl LIV in the 2019 season.
Another is Joe Flacco, John Harbaugh’s first NFL quarterback in Baltimore. Flacco won Harbaugh his first and, so far, only championship when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season, the franchise’s second title. He is currently with the Bengals as Joe Burrow’s backup after bouncing around with the Broncos, Eagles, Jets, Browns, and Colts following Lamar Jackson taking over in 2019.
There’s also former Vikings and Bengals backup Jake Browning, who came very close to bringing the Bengals to the playoffs in 2023 after Joe Burrow injured his wrist. Journeyman quarterback Brett Rypien is also an option, although a more fringe one.
Either way, with the Giants now in a precarious position in their quarterback room, the John Harbaugh era is clearly off to a rocky start. Only time will tell how the G-Men plan to remedy this unfortunate and devastating break in the season.
