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On Tuesday afternoon, the worst fears of New York Giants fans were realized with an awful update on Jaxson Dart’s knee injury from Monday Night.
There was a ton of excitement among Giants fans heading into their Week 2 clash with Super Bowl favorites the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. They were coming off a big season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. Were being led by an elite coach who has given them a gritty and tough identity. And they seemed to have a budding star quarterback leading the offense.
Then it all seemed to go down the toilet in their first series when Dart’s left leg was bent in a gruesome way and put a pit in the stomach of Big Blue fans. While he walked off on his own power and was seen standing around on the sidelines in street clothes later in the night, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo broke the news that the QB’s “knee injury is more severe than initially anticipated, and he could miss the rest of the season.”
The news is a nasty blow to a season that had emerging playoff hopes just a few days ago. Now the team will hand the keys of the offense to journeyman Jameis Winston. And as Giants fans saw last night, the No. 1 overall pick in 2105 NFL Draft won’t be able to guide this team to a playoff appearance if he is the QB1 for the rest of the campaign.
So the Giants are left with two options. Let the season play out and consider replacing the oft-injured Dart with a star from a deep QB draft class in 2027, or try to salvage the season by adding a veteran QB. Chances are they will try to find another signal caller on the trade or free agent market in the weeks ahead. But which one would be a realistic option that can actually guide them to the playoffs this season?
Related: 8 NY Giants QB Targets to Replace Jaxson Dart After Gruesome Knee Injury on Monday Night, Including Derek Carr
Why Derek Carr might be the perfect NY Giants replacement option for Jaxson Dart
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Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks the field before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
The timing of Dart’s injury brings added frustration because going into Week 3 means few teams are open to making moves. Furthermore, the Giants are desperate, so they have no leverage in trade talks.
Veterans like Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson Sr., Kenny Pickett, and Mac Jones all would be intriguing options to replace Dart. However, at this point in the season, the asking price may be too high. That’s why the free agent market will offer the best option, and the top player available is former Las Vegas Raiders star Derek Carr.
Carr created headlines in the offseason when he suggested he’d be open to ending his retirement to get the chance to start for a playoff contender. Well, that opportunity may now be available. If the four-time Pro Bowler is fully recovered from his shoulder issues, is given time to get back into football shape and learn their system, then he has the talent to lead them to the playoffs.
Furthermore, the chance to be coached by John Harbaugh and play with a roster that is good enough to make a run at a playoff spot, might make the 11-year veteran be willing to take a team-friendly contract if he is assured he will be the starter when ready.
While injuries were a problem for him in the final years of his career, he still posted a 14-13 record with the New Orleans Saints in his final two seasons. Carr had a completion percentage of 68.0, a passer rating of 99.4 and 30 touchdowns to 13 interceptions in 27 games. QB numbers that can help a team with talent and good coaching stay in the playoff hunt for the rest of the season.