The New York Giants had issues at center before the start of training camp over performance. Two weeks into camp, those issues are now also injury issues.
“The Giants are signing C Brenden Jaimes, per source,” The Athletic’s Dan Duggan wrote on his official X account. “Not a surprise with John Michael Schmitz likely headed to the concussion protocol and backup center Lucas Patrick hobbling badly during today’s practice. Jaimes, who worked out for the Giants earlier this week, has appeared in 50 games over five seasons, mostly with the Chargers.”
Jaimes, 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, made all 3 of his career starts for the Chargers in 2023. He was a 5th-round pick (No. 159 overall) by the Chargers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was released as part of the Tennessee Titans‘ final roster cuts in 2025, then landed on the New England Patriots‘ practice squad before playing 4 regular-season games.
“JMS got banged up at practice today and Lucas Patrick had been dealing with a knee injury,” The Giants Report wrote on its official X account. “This gives them a little bit of help while both of these guys get healthy.”
John Michael Schmitz Firmly on Hot Seat in 2026
Schmitz has not been a very good NFL center at this point, and offensive linemen rarely make the leap from incompetent to competent in Year 4.
NFL.com’s Matt Okada singled Schmitz and his struggles out as the “Biggest Remaining Issue” for the Giants headed into 2026, with his team declining to make a move in the draft or free agency to replace him this offseason.
“The area of concern for me is center, where John Michael Schmitz remains the projected starter,” Okada wrote. “Schmitz surrendered five sacks and 23 QB pressures last year, per Next Gen Stats, and was also subpar in the run game. Unless he makes a surprise fourth-year jump, he might be a liability in Harbaugh’s new offense.”
Giants’ Full-Time Starter Since Rookie Season
Schmitz has been the Giants’ full-time starter since his rookie season in 2023, although injuries have been a consistent issue — including in the current training camp.
Through his 1st 3 seasons, Schmitz has not only been 1 of the NFL’s worst centers but also missed multiple games each season due to injuries — a total of 11 games, including 4 games in 2025.
Pro Football Focus graded Schmitz out as 1 of the NFL’s worst at his position in 2025. His 60.8 overall grade put him 29th out of 40 eligible players at his position.
“For the third time in his three-year NFL career, Schmitz failed to play all 17 games, playing just 13 in 2025,” Sports Illustrated’s Brandon Olsen wrote on July 7. “Schmitz allowed 14 pressures last season — 16th among true, every-down centers, though several players with worse raw numbers split time at guard or tackle and aren’t included in that group. That’s not to take away from Schmitz, as that number is by far the best he’s produced in his NFL career. He was also flagged four times throughout the year, tying his career low from his rookie year. Both on paper and film, Schmitz is coming off his best pro season. The issue is that he is still performing as an average center rather than the caliber of player typically expected of a second-round pick.”
New York Giants Sign 6-foot-5, 300-Pound Former AFC Starter