The New York Giants moved quickly to stabilize their quarterback room, acquiring J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for a Day 3 pick in the 2027 draft. The deal, announced September 28, is pending a physical and ends speculation that New York would pursue Cincinnati's Joe Flacco.
The trade became urgent a week earlier when starter Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury against the Rams that will cost him at least the remainder of the regular season. Backup Jameis Winston struggled badly in relief, and the Giants have not scored a touchdown since Dart went down, though they did grind out a 12-7 win over Tennessee in nor'easter conditions.
McCarthy, 23, was the 10th overall pick in 2024 but tumbled to third on Minnesota's depth chart after missing his rookie year with a meniscus injury and losing the starting job to Kyler Murray. For the Giants, it is a low-cost lottery ticket on a talented young arm.