John Harbaugh expressed optimism that quarterback Jaxson Dart will return to the New York Giants. But the franchise must make the playoffs first as Dart heals from season-ending knee surgery. Meanwhile, ex-NFL wide receiver Adam Thielen dropped a strong QB suggestion Wednesday.
Thielen appeared on ESPN's NFL Live and called the Giants “a playoff caliber team” with Dart. But believes the Giants must become aggressive in addressing the QB room moving forward.
“In this league you have to do whatever it takes to win now. You’re going to be fired if you don’t win games,” Thielen said.
He then revealed who's best suited in his eyes to lead NYG during this time.
“I like Jimmy Garoppolo,” Thielen blurted. “He's proven to win games and he can run a system. He's also familiar with a coaching staff who likes to run it a certain way. He doesn't need to drop back 40 times a game because they don't need that in this system.”
“In this league you have to do whatever it takes to win now. … You’re going to be fired if you don’t win games.”
—@athielen19 on the Giants' path forward after losing Jaxson Dart to a season-ending injury. pic.twitter.com/oU2nMiN8mR
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 23, 2026
Garoppolo has delivered polarizing results in the NFL since taking the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl during the 2019 season. He's faced criticism for some on-field blunders, including his safety in the back of the end zone versus the Denver Broncos in 2022. He also eventually lost his QB1 position to Trey Lance then later on, Brock Purdy. Garoppolo since had short stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams.
But “Jimmy G” brings Super Bowl winning experience from his time with the New England Patriots. He even led SF to the NFC title game in 2021.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy is one other trending possibility. Given how McCarthy lost his QB1 role to Kyler Murray before the season.