Quarterback Joe Flacco became a free agent in March. Before re-signing with the Bengals, he explored his options.
The Giants weren’t one of them.
Per a league source, Flacco had interest in the Giants. The Giants did not have interest in Flacco.
At the time, the Giants had Jameis Winston under contract through 2026. He has since signed a two-year extension.
Flacco, who played with the Ravens and current Giants coach John Harbaugh for more than a decade, eventually returned to the Bengals, on a one-year, $6 million deal. And the Bengals surely wouldn’t have been willing to part with Flacco in the days since Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury; they need to have Flacco around, in the event starter Joe Burrow suffers another injury.
Still, the Giants could have had Flacco in March. While they’d never admit it, they could be privately kicking themselves that they didn’t reciprocate his offseason interest.
The Giants instead will proceed with Winston, backed up by J.J. McCarthy. They surely hope Winston plays well enough to hold the job. If he doesn’t, McCarthy will surely get a chance at some point.