NFL

Giants to Evaluate Quarterback Options Following Jameis Winston’s First Start

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 27, 2026, 19:34 IST

The New York Giants are weighing their quarterback options as Jameis Winston prepares for his first start against the Tennessee Titans following Jaxson Dart’s season-ending knee injury.

Giants to Evaluate Quarterback Options Following Jameis Winston’s First Start

The New York Giants are set to evaluate their long-term quarterback strategy following Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans. With starter Jaxson Dart sidelined for the remainder of the regular season due to surgery on his left knee, the team has turned to Jameis Winston to lead the offense. How aggressively the organization pursues a veteran replacement will depend heavily on Winston’s performance in this pivotal Week 3 contest.

Head coach John Harbaugh has confirmed that all options remain on the table regarding the team's quarterback room. While Winston prepares to take the field, the front office is actively monitoring several potential targets, including free agent Jimmy Garoppolo and various backups from across the league, such as Gardner Minshew II, J.J. McCarthy, Mac Jones, and Justin Fields. Brandon Allen, who participated in the team's training camp, also remains a candidate for consideration.

Evaluating the Path Forward

The urgency to secure a new signal-caller stems from the team's recent offensive struggles. During a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and threw an interception. Coaching staff members noted that the game plan had been specifically tailored to Dart’s skill set, leaving the team ill-prepared to pivot to a pocket-passing style on short notice. Furthermore, communication issues, including difficulties with the silent count, hampered the offense throughout the game.

To address these challenges, the coaching staff has overhauled the offensive playbook for the upcoming game against the Titans. Approximately 20 percent of the original scheme was discarded following Dart’s injury, with new plays now being implemented to better suit Winston’s specific abilities. The team is also looking to lean on a power-running game led by Cam Skattebo to navigate potentially difficult weather conditions at the Meadowlands.

Potential Veteran Additions

Among the names being discussed, Jimmy Garoppolo has emerged as an intriguing possibility. Because he is currently a free agent, the Giants would not need to surrender draft capital to acquire him. Reports indicate that discussions have taken place between the team and Garoppolo’s camp, though no formal workout has occurred. Garoppolo has expressed a preference for a spot on a 53-man roster rather than a practice squad should he choose to return to the field.

Other options present different strategic advantages. Gardner Minshew II and Justin Fields are familiar with the offensive system currently employed by Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, while Mac Jones is viewed as a high-level backup with recent starting experience. Meanwhile, the team continues to conduct due diligence on J.J. McCarthy, who is currently serving as the third-string quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. As the Giants look to stabilize their season, Jake Haener has been promoted from the practice squad to serve as the primary backup for Sunday’s game.