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Giants Add Depth at Quarterback

Giants Torch Vikings' QB Depth with McCarthy Heist

The New York Giants have made a move to bolster their quarterback depth, acquiring J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round

LSLeona Shah
Oct 3, 2026 · 3 min read
Giants Acquire J.J. McCarthy from Vikings
All-Pro Reels / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Giants Add Depth at Quarterback

The New York Giants have made a move to bolster their quarterback depth, acquiring J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. This trade is a significant development in the NFL, as it adds a young and promising quarterback to the Giants' roster.

Need to know

  • The New York Giants are acquiring quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
  • McCarthy had been serving as the third-string quarterback in Minnesota behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. — per sports.yahoo.com
  • New York adds depth at quarterback after starter Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to a torn MCL and meniscus. — per sports.yahoo.com

Who is J.J. McCarthy?

J.J. McCarthy is a 23-year-old quarterback who has been in the league for three years. He played for the Michigan Wolverines in college and will now play for his brother, John Harbaugh, with the Giants. McCarthy's experience in the league is still relatively limited, but he has shown promise in his short time as a starter.

What's McCarthy's Track Record?

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a torn MCL that he suffered in the 2024 NFL preseason. Last year, he made his regular-season debut, going 6-4 over his 10 starts. He finished with 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While his statistics may not be impressive, McCarthy's ability to lead his team to victories is a testament to his potential as a quarterback.

Will McCarthy Replace Winston?

Meanwhile, the Giants' current starter, Jameis Winston, has struggled mightily. He completed only 11-of-27 passes for 111 yards in the team's 28-6 loss to the Rams. Winston was once the top pick in the draft, back in 2015, and led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards in 2019. However, he's notoriously turnover-prone and has held back his teams throughout his pro career.

What's Next for the Giants?

The Giants have four more games until their Week 8 bye week. Depending on how Winston plays over the next month, the team could make a move to get McCarthy under center. McCarthy is expected to back up Winston in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, at worst.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

Harbaugh has gone to bat for the veteran this week, but it remains to be seen if McCarthy will be able to fill the void left by Jaxson Dart's injury.

Our Take

The Giants' decision to acquire McCarthy suggests that they're looking to add depth at quarterback, but it's unclear if McCarthy will be able to fill the void left by Dart's injury. The trade is a clear indication that the Giants are looking to the future and are willing to take risks to improve their team. However, it's also possible that the team is simply trying to create competition for Winston, who has struggled to find consistency this season.

What to Watch

The next development in this story will be how McCarthy performs in his first game with the Giants, and whether he's able to provide a spark to the team's offense. The trade is a significant development in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming weeks. Will McCarthy be able to fill the void left by Dart's injury, or will he struggle to find his footing in the league? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Giants have added a young and promising quarterback to their roster, and it will be exciting to see how he performs in the coming weeks.

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