Jimmy Garoppolo buzz picking up for Giants after Jaxson Dart injury bummer
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Jimmy Garoppolo buzz picking up for Giants after Jaxson Dart injury bummer
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Jimmy Garoppolo (11) warms up before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game, Image 2 shows Jameis Winston of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Image 3 shows New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) is checked by trainers after taking a hard hit during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium
Dunleavy further reported, per a league source, that there is speculation the Giants have Garoppolo, a 34-year-old free agent, near the top of their prospective list.
The Giants are also viewed as one of the few opportunities Garoppolo would pursue,per NFL Network.
With Dartsuffering MCL, PCL and meniscus damageafter taking a blow to the left knee during Monday's 28-6 loss theRams, the team is in the unenviable spot of trying to stay afloat with backup options.
Jimmy Garoppolo (11) of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Getty Images
His nearly full-game stint Monday also inspired little confidence, with Winston routinely under-throwing or overthrowing receivers, including an interception not even within the vicinity of a nearby Giant.
Jake Haener, 27, is the third-stringer and will serve as the backup Sunday, but he's not a suitable option should Winston miss any time.
And that's where Garoppolo enters the picture.
New York Giants' Jameis Winston looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Monday, September 21, 2026. Getty Images
While Garoppolo has not thrown a pass since 2024 and started one game over the previous two seasons for the Rams, he is an established veteran who can run an offense.
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Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season, where they fell to the Chiefs, 31-20, after leading for most of the second half beforeKansas Cityscored three touchdowns in the final six minutes.
There are certainly questions about what he has left in the tank, considering his last stint as a starter in 2023 with theRaidersresulted in him being benched, but there is at least a track record.
The Giants have already showing a willingness to be a run-first offense, which, in theory, limits the need for a quarterback to post gaudy stats.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) is checked by trainers after taking a hard hit during the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Monday, September 21, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Garoppolo went unsigned in free agency after his two years with the Rams in which he appeared in four total games and started one in 2024, the Week 18 finale on Jan. 5, 2025.
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He did not throw a pass in his three appearances last year.
"You know, I think I would probably,'' Giants coach John Harbaugh said of adding a veteran quarterback, "but you've kind of got to go with what's available as well. And you never know, if a younger guy becomes available that's interesting, that would fit — and I think we're looking at all that.''
One notable contrast Garoppolo provides to Winston is a much safer approach to ball security, with a career interception rate of 2.7 percent.
Winston, who led the league in interceptions in 2019 with 30 and has thrown three in 93 pass attempts with the Giants, sits at 3.5 percent.
The former collegiate national champion at least has a safe spot for his first start of the season Sunday at home against a porousTennesseedefense.
