Giants acquire quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Vikings following Jaxson Dart injury.

The New York Giants acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 fifth-round pick, pending his physical, after Jaxson Dart’s knee injury sidelined him for at least the rest of the regular season. The move gives New York another option after Jameis Winston’s first two starts produced no touchdowns, though coach John Harbaugh said Winston would start the upcoming game against Arizona. McCarthy, the 10th pick in the 2024 draft, fell behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz in Minnesota and has struggled to establish himself in the NFL. The trade drew mixed assessments: some see a low-cost way to improve the Giants’ quarterback depth, while others view the modest return as evidence of how much McCarthy’s value has declined.
The Giants had seriously considered drafting McCarthy with the sixth pick in 2024 but chose wide receiver Malik Nabers instead; McCarthy went to Minnesota four picks later. The trade now brings him to a team that also has its more recently drafted quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a meniscus injury before struggling as Minnesota’s starter in 2025.
In his NFL career to date, McCarthy has thrown 12 interceptions, more than his total of touchdown passes.
McCarthy played at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, a connection that could give Giants coach John Harbaugh additional background on the quarterback.
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