Giants Trade for J.J. McCarthy After Jaxson Dart's Season-Ending Knee Surgery
The New York Giants have traded for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings less than a week after learning Jaxson Dart would miss the remainder of the regular season.
Minnesota announced the deal on Monday, pending McCarthy passing a physical.
Dart's Injury Forces the Move
Dart was hurt early in the Giants' Week 2 defeat at the Los Angeles Rams, lasting seven snaps before leaving with a knee problem. He had surgery on his left knee last week and was placed on injured reserve on 24 September.
The injury ended what had been a promising start. Dart had beaten Dallas in the opener, completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
Jameis Winston started in his place on Sunday and the Giants beat Tennessee 12-7, a win built on four field goals with no touchdown and just 238 yards of offence. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Winston will start again against Arizona this weekend.
Harbaugh said the club had been working on adding a quarterback since the moment Dart went down.
"Well, we've been talking about it ever since I think Jaxson got hurt, that we would need to add a quarterback, quarterbacks," he said. "This was an opportunity that kind of came up and able to finish the deal off this morning, late morning. Really glad, really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy. I think he's a strong, young quarterback, has some experience in National Football League."
A Rapid Fall in Minnesota
McCarthy arrives in New York having seen his stock drop sharply. Taken tenth overall in 2024 in a class that produced six first-round quarterbacks, he missed what would have been his rookie season with a knee injury.
He started ten games last season and holds a 6-4 record as a starter, but lost the job to Kyler Murray during the preseason and then fell behind Carson Wentz on the depth chart. He has not played at all this season, even after Murray was injured in Week 1.
Minnesota had reportedly been looking to move him since settling their quarterback order in August, and kept him on the final roster while cutting Max Brosmer.
Three First-Rounders in One Room
The trade leaves the Giants with three former first-round quarterbacks on the roster in Dart, Winston and McCarthy, unusual company for any club.
There is a symmetry to the pairing of the two young quarterbacks. McCarthy was drafted a year ahead of Dart, but both were born in 2003, with McCarthy four months the elder.
For New York the cost is minimal and the upside considerable. If McCarthy performs they have a genuine option beyond this season, and if he does not they have parted with a fifth-round pick.
