Giants acquire former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Vikings
New York traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota for quarterback J.J. McCarthy as they look to add depth after Jaxson Dart’s injury, while Jameis Winston remains the starter.
The New York Giants are set to acquire former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft selection. The move follows a season-ending injury to backup quarterback Jaxson Dart and aims to bolster the Giants’ quarterback depth chart.
"Really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy," Giants head coach John Harbaugh said. "Think he's a strong young quarterback… He’s going to make us a stronger football team."
Harbaugh confirmed that Jameis Winston, who started the team’s recent 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans, will continue as the starter for the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Giants reportedly evaluated several veteran backups before selecting McCarthy, citing his potential upside despite limited playing time in Minnesota.
McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 draft, appeared in 10 starts for the Vikings, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and adding 181 rushing yards with four scores. Injuries, including a torn meniscus, concussion, wrist fracture and ankle sprain, limited his availability.
If the trade proves successful, McCarthy could compete for the starting role and provide the Giants with a flexible asset for future roster decisions. The acquisition also marks the third former first-round quarterback on the Giants’ roster, a rarity shared by only a handful of teams in the common-draft era.