The New York Giants suddenly face a major quarterback decision after Jaxson Dart suffered a significant knee injury against the Los Angeles Rams.
Dart is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL regular season and undergo knee surgery, although his ACL reportedly remains intact. With their young starting quarterback sidelined, the Giants must determine how they want to approach the position for the rest of the season.
For now, veteran Jameis Winston is expected to take over as the Giants’ starting quarterback. However, New York could still add another veteran through free agency or explore the trade market.
Here is a look at the Giants’ quarterback options following Dart’s injury.
Jameis Winston Becomes Giants Starting Quarterback
The simplest solution is already on the roster.
Jameis Winston is expected to become New York’s starting quarterback with Dart unavailable. Winston gives the Giants an experienced option who has started extensively during his NFL career.
Instead of immediately trading valuable draft capital for another starter, the Giants could give Winston an opportunity to run the offense while adding another quarterback for depth.
Jake Haener is also available on the Giants’ practice squad and could potentially be elevated or signed to the active roster.
Brandon Allen Could Return to Giants
Brandon Allen could be one of the easiest quarterbacks for New York to add.
Allen spent time with the Giants during the 2026 offseason, meaning he already has some familiarity with the organization and offensive system.
The veteran has made 10 NFL starts during his career and could provide New York with an experienced backup behind Winston.
If the Giants are primarily looking for QB depth rather than a replacement starter, Allen could make sense.
Jimmy Garoppolo Could Give Giants Another Veteran Option
Jimmy Garoppolo is another experienced quarterback the Giants could consider if they want additional competition at the position.
Garoppolo has extensive starting experience and has played in major postseason games during his NFL career.
Adding Garoppolo would give New York another proven veteran behind Winston and potentially provide the Giants with an alternative if Winston struggles.
The question would be whether the Giants want to invest in another veteran quarterback or simply ride with Winston for the remainder of Dart’s absence.
Could Giants Trade for Joe Flacco?
Joe Flacco has emerged as an intriguing name in speculation surrounding the Giants.
The veteran quarterback acknowledged on September 25 that friends had already contacted him about rumors connecting him with New York.
That does not mean a trade is imminent, but Flacco would give the Giants another highly experienced quarterback capable of stepping into an offense during the season.
New York would have to determine whether the potential upgrade is worth surrendering draft compensation.
Tyler Huntley Could Be an Interesting Trade Target
Tyler Huntley could be another quarterback worth watching.
Huntley has connections to Giants head coach John Harbaugh from their time together with the Baltimore Ravens. He also previously worked with Greg Roman in Baltimore.
That familiarity could potentially make Huntley an easier quarterback to integrate into New York’s offense during the season.
Huntley also brings mobility to the quarterback position, giving the Giants a different style of player compared with Winston.
Any deal would depend on Baltimore’s willingness to trade him and what the Ravens would demand in return.
Carson Wentz Could Become Available
Carson Wentz is another veteran quarterback who could potentially enter the conversation if the Minnesota Vikings become willing to trade him.
Wentz has extensive NFL starting experience and could provide New York with another option if the Giants decide they need more than Winston.
However, acquiring Wentz would depend on Minnesota’s quarterback situation and the potential trade price.
Giants Don’t Necessarily Need to Trade for a Starting QB
The biggest question facing New York is whether the organization actually needs to make a major quarterback move.
The Giants already have Winston, who can take over the starting job immediately. Haener provides another internal option, while a veteran such as Allen could potentially be added without sacrificing draft picks.
That makes a blockbuster quarterback trade unnecessary unless the Giants believe an outside player would significantly improve their chances during the remainder of the 2026 season.
New York could instead preserve its draft capital, start Winston and add an inexpensive veteran as insurance.
Giants QB Depth Chart After Jaxson Dart Injury
The Giants’ quarterback situation currently centers around:
QB1: Jameis Winston
QB2/QB depth: Jake Haener
Injured: Jaxson Dart
New York could add another quarterback in the coming days to strengthen the depth chart.
Potential options include Brandon Allen, Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Flacco, Tyler Huntley and Carson Wentz, depending on availability and whether the Giants prefer free agency or the trade market.
What’s Next for the Giants at Quarterback?
For now, Jameis Winston gives the Giants an experienced starting quarterback while Dart recovers.
The more immediate priority may be finding another quarterback to provide depth behind Winston rather than making an aggressive trade for a new starter.
Still, the situation could change quickly.
If Winston struggles or another veteran quarterback becomes available at an attractive price, New York could explore the trade market before committing to its current quarterback room for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season.
With Dart sidelined, the Giants’ quarterback situation will be one of the biggest storylines to watch as New York attempts to navigate the rest of its season.