Giants acquire Vikings QB McCarthy for 2027 fifth-round pick
10 sourcesUpdated Sep 28, 2026
The New York Giants acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 fifth-round pick, pending his physical. The Vikings announced the trade Monday after Jaxson Dart had surgery on his left knee. One outlet said Dart will miss four to six months; others said at least the rest of the regular season. Jameis Winston started and the Giants beat Tennessee without a touchdown while totaling 238 yards of offense. Coach John Harbaugh said Winston would start again against Arizona. Harbaugh said the plans are the plans and that no matter what the team will do everything it can to make the team as strong as it can based on the options it has. McCarthy was the 10th pick in the 2024 draft and missed his rookie season with a right knee injury. He started 10 games in 2025, completing 57.6 percent for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 6-4 record, then lost the starting job to Kyler Murray and fell behind Carson Wentz after Sam Darnold left for the Seattle Seahawks. McCarthy led Michigan to a national title under Jim Harbaugh. Rated coverage ran 4 left, 0 center and 0 right.
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Vikings must really want to move on from McCarthy to accept a 2027 fifth rounder for a top ten pick.
Giants got a potential franchise quarterback for almost nothing after Dart went down. Smart move if McCarthy pans out.
