ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said Thursday the New York Giants should look beyond veteran Jameis Winston and try to acquire Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders after Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season.
The official First Take account posted a clip from the morning debate show in which Smith offered a blunt recommendation on the Giants’ quarterback problem.
“I would tell the Giants to go and pursue Shedeur Sanders,” Smith said bluntly.
The comment came two days after coach John Harbaugh confirmed Dart will miss the remainder of the regular season following a left-knee injury suffered on the opening drive of Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Imaging showed damage to the meniscus, MCL and PCL. The ACL is intact, but surgery is expected and the recovery timeline is measured in months.
Dart, the 25th overall pick in the 2025 draft, had opened the season with a historic Week 1 performance against Dallas. Through two games he completed 26 of 34 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He completed three of five attempts for 20 yards before leaving the Rams game.
Winston entered in relief and finished 11 of 27 for 111 yards and an interception. The former No. 1 overall pick signed a two-year, $13 million extension earlier this month that keeps him under contract through 2028. Harbaugh named him the starter for Sunday’s home game against the Tennessee Titans.
Smith argued Winston is too mistake-prone to be the answer for a Giants team that started 1-1 and entered the year with playoff expectations under a new coaching staff. He pointed instead to Sanders, the Browns’ second-year backup who is currently sitting behind Deshaun Watson.
Sanders, 24, was selected 144th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 draft after a slide that stunned many evaluators. He made seven starts as a rookie, completing 120 of 212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His best outing came against Tennessee, when he threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score.
Cleveland finished 3-4 in those starts.
The Giants had shown interest in Sanders before the 2025 draft and ultimately chose Dart instead. Harbaugh, hired in the offseason after a long tenure in Baltimore, said Wednesday the team will add another quarterback and has not closed the door on a trade.
“I think all options are open right now,” Harbaugh said. He added that he would probably prefer a veteran but would consider “a younger guy” if one became available and fit.
Whether Cleveland would part with Sanders is another question. Watson won the starting job after an offseason competition and delivered a strong Week 2 performance. Browns insiders have floated the possibility of moving Sanders before the Nov. 10 trade deadline if Watson holds the job, but there is no indication a deal is imminent.
Sanders would give New York a 24-year-old with starting experience and a higher ceiling than most available veterans. Winston would still handle the immediate workload while Sanders learned the offense. The price would likely be a mid-round pick rather than a first-rounder, given Sanders’ draft slot and mixed rookie tape.
The idea immediately split fans and analysts. Some noted Sanders’ accuracy issues last season — he ranked near the bottom of the league in completion percentage among qualified passers. Others argued the Giants already passed on him once and should not circle back now.
Harbaugh described Dart’s absence as “a big loss” and “a tough loss.” He said Dart attended meetings Wednesday and remains determined even as he processes the setback.
“The season’s not over, but it is for him,” Harbaugh said.
Winston said he is “very confident” he can lead the Giants to victories. The team plans to install a game plan tailored to his arm strength this week.
Smith’s suggestion is the latest reminder of how quickly a promising season can tilt. Two weeks ago the Giants were celebrating Dart’s debut and locking up their backup. Now they are shopping for another quarterback while their young starter begins a long rehabilitation.
Whether they listen to Smith and call Cleveland remains to be seen. For now, Winston is the starter, Dart is on the shelf, and Sanders is still wearing orange and brown.
