After Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee surgery, the Giants plan to add a quarterback, coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday, leaving a trade among the options. Harbaugh prefers a veteran; Yahoo Sports' analysis says the thin trade pool makes a free-agent signing more likely.
Yahoo Sports' analysis argues that trading for a quality backup may be difficult: San Francisco went 5-3 with Mac Jones and Houston 3-0 with Davis Mills after their starters were injured, and both teams made the playoffs. It says they may be reluctant to give up those contributors.
The article calls J.J. McCarthy the most interesting trade option, citing Harbaugh's connection and the Giants' pre-draft visit, but notes he has 10 NFL starts and questions whether he could help immediately. It says paying a significant price is hard to justify because New York is already missing its 2027 fourth-round pick; possible free-agent veterans named include Brandon Allen, Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh Johnson.
