When New York Giants franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, the Giants suddenly needed a stopgap at football’s most important position.
When the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason to serve as their starting signal-caller, former first-round pick JJ McCarthy needed a change in scenery to revitalize his NFL career.
On Monday, the teams came to an agreement to solve both issues; McCarthy was traded to New York in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, per ESPN’s Ian Rapaport.
Trade Details & Grades:
Full Trade:
- Giants Get: JJ McCarthy
- Vikings Get: 2027 fifth-round pick
Giants Grade: B
For now, this trade probably doesn’t change that much; Jameis Winston reportedly will remain at the top of the Giants’ depth chart, with McCarthy serving as his backup, and New York is still holding out hope that Dart will be available for the postseason if the Giants advance that far. At 2-1, New York currently holds +365 odds of making the playoffs at DraftKings Sportsbook.
While Winston has long been considered one of the league’s premier backups, there’s a reason he hasn’t been entrusted with a full-time starting role since 2021, and that 2021 season — in which the New Orleans Saints started out 5-2 before Winston tore his ACL — was one of just two campaigns in which Winston’s team had a winning record. McCarthy was horrendous as the Vikings’ starter last season, but his youth and rushing ability offer some intrigue vis-a-vis Winston.
McCarthy is just 23 years old and three years removed from leading the Big 10 in completion percentage, adjusted yards per attempt, and passer rating while leading Michigan to a national championship in 2023. Jake Haener showed even less than McCarthy did in his eight games (one start) of spot duty with the Saints in 2024, so at minimum, McCarthy should be a significant upgrade as Winston’s backup. If he lives up to any of his potential, he could usurp Winston; he was widely considered a first-round talent, even though Minnesota’s decision to select him 10th overall was seen as a reach at the time.
A fifth-round pick isn’t a particularly steep price to pay; fewer than one-fifth of fifth-round picks ever become quality starters for their teams.
Vikings Grade: A
Selecting McCarthy 10th overall is, at this point, a sunk cost, and this grade doesn’t take his initial draft position into account. The Vikings lost all their leverage by signing Murray and choosing Carson Wentz to serve as his primary backup ahead of McCarthy, so the fact that they were able to extract anything of value for his services is a major success.
Despite Minnesota’s decision to fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January and replace him with Nolan Teasley, I trust the organization. The Vikings have found plenty of impact players in later rounds, as 2021 fourth-round safety Camryn Bynum became a consistent starter with both Minnesota and the Indianapolis Colts and 2020 sixth-rounders Blake Brandel and Josh Metellus have both become starters with the team. The Vikings also have a history of resurrecting free agents’ careers; Sam Darnold’s 2024 season was the catalyst in his becoming the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning starter.
Individually, although Teasley has never been a general manager, he served in various roles in the Seahawks’ front office over 13 years, helping them win two Super Bowls, and Seattle drafted several late-round gems in his tenure. Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, drafted in the fourth and fifth rounds in 2022, both became starters, as did 2024 fourth-round tight end AJ Barner.
This might not be an A grade for every team, but given Minnesota’s front office and the input of 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell, I trust the Vikings to extract the most value out of that fifth-round pick. McCarthy was providing no value for the team, and his $5.4 million contract would’ve been an albatross. That eventual draft selection might not play in the league, but there’s a real chance that he’ll provide more value than the former Wolverine.
