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Story summary
The Giants traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Vikings for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was drafted as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but struggled during his time with Minnesota. McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a torn meniscus and lost his starting job last year to Kyler Murray. The trade came after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury, leaving the Giants in need of quarterback depth behind starter Jameis Winston. McCarthy's arrival has been described as a Hail Mary move by some, but Giants head coach John Harbaugh believes McCarthy will make their team stronger. Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings' coach, expressed his care and respect for McCarthy despite trading him, noting the difficulty in making such decisions.
Written for “Giants Trade For J.J. McCarthy” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
The Giants’ acquisition of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a trade with the Vikings leads to plenty of questions about why this particular player and what it means at the position.
asserted
it → lead → position
We are here to provide answers, as best as possible.
asserted
We → provide → answers
Here we go:
asserted
we → go → ?
Q: Is McCarthy worth giving up a 2027 fifth-round draft pick?
asserted
McCarthy → give → pick
A: At this point, it is not much of a gamble and not too much of an expenditure for this reason: No one cares about the backup quarterback until the starter gets hurt.
asserted
starter → care → quarterback
Then the backup becomes the most important player on the team.
asserted
backup → become → team
If Jameis Winston is healthy and can start all 15 games in place of Jaxson Dart, more power to him.
asserted
Winston → start → him
If he gets hurt, the replacement cannot be someone who gives the Giants no chance to win.
asserted
who → get → chance
If Winston plays terribly, a move must be made, and that move could not be Jake Haener (one NFL start) as QB2.
uncertain
move → play → QB2
McCarthy was a major bust in Minnesota, but he has ability.
asserted
he → have → ability
Heck, think of how the Vikings must feel.
asserted
Vikings → think → ?
They sent fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Jets in 2024 to move up from No. 11 to No. 10 to get McCarthy.
asserted
They → send → McCarthy
What does this mean for next year’s draft?
asserted
this → mean → draft
The Giants now have only five picks in the 2027 draft: first round, second round, third round and two in the sixth round.
asserted
Giants → have → round
They might be awarded a compensatory pick (perhaps a fourth-rounder).
uncertain
They → award → pick
Either way, that is not much draft capital to maneuver if they want to do so.
asserted
they → maneuver → ?
Should Winston be looking over his shoulder?
asserted
Winston → look → shoulder
He was terrible coming off the bench against the Rams and squeezed out a victory in the rain and wind over the moribund Titans without getting the Giants in the end zone.
asserted
He → come → zone
A coaching staff can navigate around the quarterback for only so long, and saying “Just run the ball” is not a plan.
asserted
saying → navigate → ball
He signed a two-year extension for $13 million because this regime believed he has value on and off the field.
asserted
he → sign → field
Now he has to be on the field, and he has to pick it up, as McCarthy, in time, could be a viable alternative.
uncertain
McCarthy → have → time
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