Giants Acquire J.J. McCarthy From Vikings in Trade for 2027 Fifth Round Pick

New York Adds Former First-Round Quarterback After Jaxson Dart Injury

The New York Giants have acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings, sending a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for the former first-round selection, according to NFL Network and ESPN reports Monday. 

The trade gives the Giants another young quarterback option after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. Dart underwent surgery Friday and is expected to miss at least the remainder of the regular season. New York had already turned to veteran Jameis Winston as its starter following Dart’s injury.

McCarthy Gets a Fresh Start in New York

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading up with the New York Jets to select the Michigan quarterback. 

McCarthy entered the 2026 season competing with newly acquired Kyler Murray for Minnesota’s starting job, but Murray won the competition during training camp. McCarthy ultimately fell behind Murray and Carson Wentz on the Vikings’ quarterback depth chart. 

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, McCarthy made 10 starts for the Vikings before losing the starting job to Murray. Now, McCarthy heads to New York with an opportunity to rebuild his career and develop in a new offensive environment.

Jameis Winston Remains Giants’ Starting Quarterback

The trade does not immediately change New York’s plan at quarterback. Giants head coach John Harbaugh said following Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans that Winston would remain the team’s starter even if the organization added another quarterback. Winston took over after Dart’s injury and has been preparing to lead the offense for the remainder of the regular season.

That makes McCarthy’s initial role more about strengthening the quarterback room while giving the Giants another potential option behind Winston. Dart’s injury created an immediate need for New York to add depth at the position. The Giants have now addressed that need by bringing in a former top-10 pick who is still only 23 years old.

Giants Add Former No. 10 Overall Pick

McCarthy’s arrival gives New York a quarterback with significant draft pedigree and experience in a major college program. He led Michigan to a national championship before entering the NFL, and the Vikings made him the fifth quarterback selected in the first 10 picks of the 2024 draft. 

His time in Minnesota, however, did not develop as the Vikings had hoped. After selecting him at No. 10 overall, Minnesota saw McCarthy’s development complicated by injuries and competition for the starting job before ultimately moving forward with Murray.

For the Giants, the trade represents a low-cost opportunity to add another former first-round quarterback to the roster. New York is giving up only a 2027 fifth-round pick while adding a player who was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in his draft class.

A New Chapter for McCarthy

The Giants entered the season with Dart as their young quarterback of the future, but his season-ending injury forced the organization to adjust its plans. Winston now has the starting job, while McCarthy provides another option at the position.

The timing also creates an interesting connection: McCarthy played at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, while his new NFL head coach in New York is Jim’s brother, John Harbaugh. For now, Winston remains the starter. But the Giants have added another quarterback with first-round pedigree as they navigate the remainder of the 2026 season and determine how McCarthy fits into their longer-term plans.