The New York Giants acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings on Monday in a trade that sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to Minnesota. The move comes less than a week after the Giants announced that their young starter, Jaxson Dart, would miss the remainder of the regular season following knee surgery. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, offers the Giants another young option at a critical position as they navigate Dart’s absence.
McCarthy, 23, suffered a torn meniscus during his rookie preseason that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. He was named the Vikings’ starting quarterback in 2025 but struggled in his 10 starts, completing just under 58% of his passes for 1,632 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Despite a 6-4 record as a starter, his performance led to him losing the starting job to Kyler Murray during the 2026 offseason and subsequently falling behind veteran Carson Wentz on the depth chart, making him the Vikings’ third-string quarterback entering this season.
The Giants’ coach John Harbaugh confirmed the trade but emphasized that Jameis Winston remains the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Winston, who has started the first three games of the season following Dart’s injury, led the Giants to a 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. While the move to acquire McCarthy does not immediately alter the starting lineup, the team is considering whether McCarthy or Jake Haener, a quarterback with minimal NFL experience, will serve as Winston’s backup going forward.
Harbaugh expressed optimism about McCarthy’s potential, noting the young quarterback’s athleticism and previous collegiate success, including a national championship at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, John’s brother. John Harbaugh acknowledged past concerns about McCarthy’s maturity and decision-making but sees the trade as an opportunity for both the player and team. “He’s a strong young quarterback… very talented player, and he’s going to make us a stronger football team,” Harbaugh said.
The transaction also reflects the Giants’ urgent need to bolster their quarterback depth after losing Dart, who was regarded as the franchise’s future at the position. General manager Joe Schoen and his scouting staff reportedly had McCarthy rated as a potential second-round talent during the 2024 draft but opted to select wide receiver Malik Nabers instead. With McCarthy now available, the Giants are betting on his ability to develop in a new environment and provide security for their offense.
Meanwhile, the Vikings continue to rely on their newly acquired starter Kyler Murray and veteran Carson Wentz. Minnesota’s decision to part ways with a former top-10 draft pick after just two seasons highlighted the challenges McCarthy faced in securing his role there.
The Giants also announced that linebacker Brian Burns will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, compounding the team’s injury challenges. Nonetheless, the acquisition of McCarthy marks a clear effort by New York to stabilize a key position as they seek to stay competitive in the 2026 NFL campaign.