Giants' Top QB Trade Targets, NFL Free Agency Options After Jaxson Dart Injury

It turns out the New York Giants might not have Jaxson Dart for the remainder of the season after he suffered a knee injury in Monday's 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Dart's MRI revealed his knee injury is "worse than anticipated" and it could keep him out for the rest of the season.

Dart was injured on the final play of New York's opening possession when his knee ping-ponged after being hit by Rams linebacker Byron Young, then into linebacker Josaiah Stewart.

Jameis Winston took over for the rest of the game, finishing 11-of-27 for 111 yards and one interception.

Since the Giants are playing on a short week going into Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, Winston will almost certainly get the starting nod.

Beyond that, though, the Giants could at least explore trade and free-agent targets in an attempt to salvage their season with Dart out for the time being. Winston didn't look like viable long-term option, albeit in a tough assignment against a good Rams defense even without Myles Garrett on the field.

Here are some potential quarterback options the Giants could look at if they want to add more depth since Dart and Winston were the only signal-callers on the active roster for the first two games.

Jimmy Garoppolo

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File

Of the current free-agent options, Jimmy Garoppolo is the most accomplished with a 43-21 career record in 64 starts.

There was speculation early in the offseason that Garoppolo was considering retirement, but NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported in July that the 34-year-old wants to keep playing if he can find the right situation.

Garafolo noted at the time nothing was "imminent" for Garoppolo, and it "might take an injury to a quarterback or the need for a veteran to get into the mix."

Well, here is an injury situation that could open the door for Garoppolo.

Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy utilizes a variation of the west-coast offense that relies on pre-snap motion, RPOs and screen passes. Those were all elements that helped Garoppolo achieve his greatest success in the NFL during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.

Even though the Giants don't have the equivalent of prime Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey to boost Garoppolo, a group of Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and Cam Skattebo is a good skill-position unit to work with.

Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee

AP Photo

This is a take-your-pick among whichever Philadelphia Eagles backup Howie Roseman might be willing to trade within the same division.

Tanner McKee has had a fascinating run with the Eagles since being a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft. He had a strong 2025 preseason that led to some absurd takes about how much he would return in a trade.

As recently as March, the reported asking price for McKee was a second-round pick. After a lackluster preseason this year, he has been relegated to the emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Andy Dalton.

Given that the Eagles have kept McKee inactive for the first two games and being in the final season of his rookie contract, it might be easier for the Giants to get him than Dalton right now.

If there is a reason for the Giants to make an attempt for Dalton, it's because a member of their offensive coaching staff has familiarity with him.

Brian Callahan, the current Giants passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, worked as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator from 2019 to '23. Dalton was still with the Bengals in 2019 and started 13 games.

Dalton also has extensive experience in the NFL with 179 appearances in 16 seasons. McKee has appeared in six games over the past three seasons.

Tua Tagovailoa

AP Photo/Doug Murray

This is probably the most depressing potential option the Giants could make, but it also speaks to what the quarterback market looks like when you need one during the season.

Tua Tagovailoa was set to start for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 before an oblique injury suffered in practice days before the game kept him out.

The Falcons will get Michael Penix Jr. back for their Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

Despite having a healthy Penix back, the Falcons reportedly aren't looking to release Tagovailoa right now.

Tagovailoa's primary selling point in a trade to a quarterback-needy team is his low salary ($1.2 million) and presumably low draft pick the Falcons would want if they were to deal him.

It's also plausible that if Penix looks good as he works his way back from ACL surgery, the Falcons could end up releasing Tagovailoa and a team like the Giants could just sign him without having to give up a trade asset.

Look, this isn't a great option for the Giants if they are looking to compete for a playoff spot. But desperate times could call for desperate measures. Tagovailoa, even in a down 2025, still threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a 67.7 completion percentage in 14 starts with the Miami Dolphins.

For comparison, the last time Winston threw for at least 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns in a season was 2019.