Jaxson Dart is officially done for the 2026 season, and that’s the gut punch for the New York Giants. Their starting quarterback is set for knee surgery after getting injured on the very first offensive possession of Monday’s ugly 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Talk about a brutal start to the week, right? Now, the Giants are in full-on scramble mode, deep in the quarterback market trying to salvage what’s left of their season.
Winston’s Woes and the Cost of Dart’s Absence
When Dart went down, Jameis Winston stepped in, and honestly, it was tough to watch. He did not inspire a shred of confidence, finishing the game a dismal 11-of-27 for just 111 yards and one interception. Yikes. This Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans will be Winston’s first start since Week 12 last season, and his track record isn’t exactly shining. He hasn’t won a game as a starting quarterback since Week 12 of the 2024 season, when he led the Cleveland Browns to a 24-19 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s a long time ago in NFL years! It’s clear why the front office is already looking elsewhere, even with Winston under center.
The Steep Price for a New Arm
So, who are they looking at? ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped some names on “Get Up” this Thursday: Gardner Minshew from the Arizona Cardinals and Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s the kicker: acquiring Jones would cost “a lot” if the 49ers are even open to discussing a deal. San Francisco was reportedly demanding at least a second-round pick for Jones in the offseason. Even with Brock Purdy playing well this season, Purdy has missed time in the past two years, so the 49ers might be hesitant to part with their backup. As for Minshew, he is currently the Cardinals’ No. 2, but they drafted Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 draft. Plus, the Giants’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy actually worked with Minshew last season when they were both with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is an interesting connection. In-season quarterback trades are super rare, with only three since 2021, and teams usually aren’t eager to mess with their QB rooms this early.
The Giants have a window to figure this out, though. After facing the Titans, their schedule lines up with the Cardinals in Week 4, the Washington Commanders in Week 5, then back-to-back games against the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans before their bye. It’s a stretch that lets them “tread water” while they assess the quarterback market. But man, that 11-of-27 performance from Winston against the Rams? That’s the kind of tape that tells you everything you need to know about how desperate things are getting for the Giants’ 2026 season. They need a plan, and they need it fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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