The Giants may be preparing to make a run at Jimmy Garoppolo.
New York has “real” interest in the veteran quarterback as it searches for help following Jaxson Dart’s season-ending left knee injury, The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy confirmed.
According to Dunleavy, citing a league source, Garoppolo could sit near the top of the Giants’ list of potential additions. The 34-year-old is currently a free agent.
NFL Network also reported that the Giants are among the few teams Garoppolo would seriously consider joining.
Dart sustained damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus after taking a hit to his left knee during Monday’s 28-6 loss to the Rams. The injury leaves New York trying to keep its season on track with limited quarterback options.
The Giants signed Jameis Winston to a two-year, $13 million extension before the regular season began, but his uneven history as a starter remains a concern.
Winston’s near-full-game appearance Monday did little to ease those concerns. He repeatedly missed receivers high and low, including on an interception that was nowhere near a Giants target.
Jake Haener, 27, is the team’s third-string quarterback and is expected to back up Winston on Sunday. However, he is not viewed as a reliable solution if Winston is forced to miss significant time.
That is where Garoppolo could become part of the Giants’ plans.
Garoppolo has not attempted a pass since 2024 and has started just one game over the past two seasons with the Rams. Still, he brings extensive experience and a proven ability to operate an NFL offense.
He guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl during the 2019 season, though San Francisco ultimately fell to Kansas City, 31-20. The 49ers led for much of the second half before the Chiefs erupted for three touchdowns in the final six minutes.
There are legitimate questions about how much Garoppolo has left. His most recent run as a starter, with the Raiders in 2023, ended with him being benched. Even so, he has a résumé that few of the Giants’ other available options can match.
New York has already shown a willingness to lean on a run-first approach, which could reduce the pressure on a veteran quarterback to produce eye-popping passing numbers.
Garoppolo remained unsigned after spending two seasons with the Rams, appearing in four games overall and making one start in 2024. That start came in the Week 18 finale on Jan. 5, 2025.
He did not throw a pass in his three other appearances last year.
“You know, I think I would probably,’’ Giants coach John Harbaugh said when asked about adding a veteran quarterback, “but you’ve kind of got to go with what’s available as well. And you never know, if a younger guy becomes available that’s interesting, that would fit — and I think we’re looking at all that.’’
Garoppolo would also offer a more careful approach with the football than Winston. His career interception rate is 2.7 percent.
Winston, who led the NFL with 30 interceptions in 2019, has already thrown three interceptions on 93 attempts with the Giants, giving him a 3.5 percent interception rate.
Winston will at least have a favorable opportunity for his first start of the season Sunday, when the Giants host a vulnerable Tennessee defense.
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