WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Jameis Winston will start Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, with Jake Haener serving as his backup.
  • Jaxson Dart is out for the regular season after surgery to repair the meniscus and MCL in his left knee.
  • The Giants are considering Jimmy Garoppolo, Gardner Minshew II, J.J. McCarthy, Mac Jones, Justin Fields and Brandon Allen.
  • Roughly 20% of New York’s offense became unavailable following Dart’s injury, prompting a different plan for Winston.

Jameis Winston steps into the spotlight Sunday for his first start of the New York Giants’ season without Jaxson Dart. New York’s next move at quarterback is expected to become clearer as early as next week.

Winston has moved from QB2 to QB1 for the Giants. How aggressively the team pursues a veteran quarterback will depend in part on his performance Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Giants coach John Harbaugh said “all options are open” regarding the quarterback New York will bring in. The list includes free agent Jimmy Garoppolo and several potential trade options, according to sources who spoke with ESPN and NFL Network.

Those options include Cardinals backup Gardner Minshew II, Vikings reserve J.J. McCarthy, 49ers backup Mac Jones and Chiefs backup Justin Fields. Brandon Allen, who spent training camp with the Giants, is another possibility.

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Jake Haener was signed from the practice squad Saturday. He will serve as Winston’s backup against Tennessee while the Giants assess their quarterback situation.

Dart is out for the regular season after undergoing surgery Friday to repair the meniscus and MCL in his left knee. Harbaugh left open the possibility that the second year star could return if New York makes a playoff run.

Winston entered the Giants’ Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams after the team had built its plan around Dart. He completed 11-of-27 passes for 111 yards with an interception in New York’s 28-6 loss on “Monday Night Football.”

The Giants believe Winston’s struggles in that game were partly connected to the plan being tailored to Dart. Adjusting during the game to a pocket-passing quarterback such as Winston proved challenging for New York.

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The silent count also became an issue because Winston had not practiced it with the team during the previous week. New York’s objective Sunday is to use a plan that is better suited to Winston.

The Giants installed more than 300 plays during the offseason, giving them a broad selection from which to construct Sunday’s approach. The version prepared for Winston will feature a different menu of plays.

Roughly 20% of New York’s offense became unavailable following Dart’s injury. Winston also offers a different skill set, requiring the Giants to adjust their approach and build around what he brings to the position.

Wind and rain are expected Sunday at the Meadowlands. With a backup quarterback starting, the Giants hope Winston can distribute the ball and make use of a power run game led by Cam Skattebo.

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If Winston struggles again, New York’s push to add another quarterback could become significant. Garoppolo may be the team’s most intriguing option because signing him would not require the Giants to surrender a draft pick in a trade.

The Giants held conversations with Garoppolo and his representatives during the past week, although he has not visited for a workout. Garoppolo considered retirement during the offseason before deciding he was open to returning under the right circumstances.

If he signs, Garoppolo prefers a place on the 53-man roster rather than the practice squad. The Rams wanted him back throughout the offseason, while the Cardinals also made an attempt to add him, but he remains unsigned and is considering the Giants.

The other possibilities carry separate connections or considerations. Minshew played for Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy with the Chiefs, while Fields currently plays in the same system in Kansas City.

Jones is considered among the NFL’s top backup quarterbacks. He went 5-3 last year while filling in for Brock Purdy with the 49ers.

McCarthy is another intriguing option because of his talent and current position as Minnesota’s third-string quarterback. The Giants have been conducting background work on McCarthy so they can make an informed decision.

For now, the Giants have prepared a Winston specific plan for Tennessee and installed Haener as his backup. Winston’s performance Sunday will help determine how strongly New York pursues one of the veteran options under consideration.

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