Overview
- Reports from The Athletic and team beat writers say the Giants have signed 27-year-old Brenden Jaimes to add immediate depth at center after starter John Michael Schmitz likely entered the concussion protocol and backup Lucas Patrick showed limited mobility from a knee issue in practice.
- Jaimes was a fifth-round pick in 2021, has appeared in about 50 NFL games with three career starts (all in 2023), and worked out for the Giants earlier in the week before the signing was reported.
- Schmitz’s on-field performance and availability have been a recurring concern, with Pro Football Focus grading him 60.8 in 2025 and Next Gen Stats crediting him with five sacks and 23 quarterback pressures allowed last season; he has missed 11 games through his first three seasons.
- The signing is framed as a short-term, injury-driven roster move to keep practices and camp reps running, not a definitive replacement at the position or a vote of confidence in long-term improvement.
- The transaction required a corresponding roster move, with the team waiving cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse with an injury designation, and the next developments to watch are Schmitz’s clearance from the protocol and how Jaimes performs in camp drills.