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Giants Acquire McCarthy in Trade for Future Pick

4:05 AM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The New York Giants have traded for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the former first-round pick.

The New York Giants have traded for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the former first-round pick.

McCarthy, who started 10 games for the Vikings last season, compiling a 6-4 record, joins a Giants team that lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season due to a knee injury.

The Giants' decision to trade for McCarthy comes after Winston's uninspiring play and the absence of a viable backup, with Jake Haener recently waived.

McCarthy, selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, missed his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee and played only 10 games over two seasons with the Vikings.

The Vikings, who signed veteran Kyler Murray as a free agent this offseason, decided to cut ties with McCarthy after just 10 starts.

The trade adds depth to the Giants' quarterback room, which now includes three former first-round picks.

Giants general manager Joe Douglas extensively scouted McCarthy before the 2024 NFL Draft, ultimately deciding to wait and select Dart in 2025.

The trade also reflects the Giants' strategy of acquiring young talent with potential for future success.

The Vikings, under general manager Nolan Teasley, acknowledged that the trade was a necessary move to acquire an asset that could benefit them in the future.

McCarthy's career with the Vikings ended with 10 starts, and his departure at 23 years and 9 months makes him younger than most NFL quarterbacks drafted in the 2026 draft.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• The New York Giants are acquiring quarterback J.J.

What's still developing

• In his recently-launched Substack, ‘The Sweep’, NFL insider Tom Pelissero said this about why the Giants made the deal: The Giants extensively scouted McCarthy (and the rest of the 2024 quarterback class) before deciding to wait and taking Dart in 2025.
• Jay Glazer is reporting that John Harbaugh did speak to his brother about McCarthy before the Giants made the deal.
• The Giants had an opportunity to draft the 23-year-old McCarthy out of Michigan with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• They passed on McCarthy, as well as Bo Nix and Michael Penix, to select wide receiver Malik Nabers.
• Giants coach John Harbaugh said on Monday the team immediately began the process of trying to add to their quarterback room after Dart went down.
• Harbaugh also said that Jameis Winston -- who started during Sunday's 12-7 win over the Titans -- will remain the team's starting quarterback for their upcoming game against the Cardinals.
• "Really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy," Harbaugh said.
• Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, Philip Rivers Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco, Robert Griffin III Injuries derailed McCarthy's tenure in Minnesota and limited him to just 10 starts over two-plus seasons.
• That outcome would start with McCarthy eventually overtaking Winston for the starting job, finding success in a new offense and leading the Giants to a handful of wins.
• Granted, there is a difference between winning a championship with McCarthy at the college level and winning games with him in the NFL.
• The Vikings cut bait after just 10 starts, accepted their failure in using a top pick on a bust and elected to move forward with Murray and Wentz.
• McCarthy as they attempt to rebuild their signal-caller group in the wake of Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury.

Sources

• Big Blue Viewlink
• CBS Sportslink
• Espnlink
• FanSidedlink
• New York Daily Newslink
• Sbnationlink
• WTAQlink
• bolavip.comlink
• heavy.comlink
• Japantimeslink
• Thescorelink
• Nypostlink
• USA Todaylink
• WarpBeat — background on Grading NFL trades: Who won the J.J. McCarthy deal, Giants or Vikings? link
• FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul — video link