The New York Giants need more quarterback depth, and the Minnesota Vikings might have an option available. Giants QB1 Jaxson Dart faces an uncertain injury diagnosis, with reports coming out Tuesday after Monday Night Football suggesting he could miss the rest of the season.
And per longtime Giants writer Gary Myers, New York should explore J.J. McCarthy for a role in New York’s suddenly needy QB room.
Would a Giants-Vikings McCarthy Deal Actually Make Sense?
The McCarthy-to-NYG Trade Idea
Myers fired off this tweet: “If Jaxson Dart is done for the year, I think the Giants should trade for Vikings third-string QB J.J. McCarthy. GM Joe Schoen considered him w/6th overall pick in 2024 (they took Malik Nabers). McCarthy helped Jim Harbaugh win a national championship in 2023, and he loves McCarthy.”
“John and Jim often sign players with a history with each other. Probably would cost only a mid-round pick, and the Giants could run the same RPO offense they were using with Dart that is not suited to Jameis Winston.”
The Vikings, meanwhile, have battled a QB1 injury of their own, as Kyler Murray has missed the better part of two games to start 2026. Minnesota can’t really afford to subtract quarterback depth, especially with a defense that currently showcases a Super Bowl pedigree. The Vikings can do playoff damage if they have a quarterback who completes passes. That’s really all they need.
Meyers added, “If McCarthy plays well for the Giants, he can build up his value to trade him after the season or supplant Winston as Dart’s backup. Low-risk move.”
“McCarthy has been a huge disappointment in Minnesota, but he’s only 23 years old, a few months older than Dart.”
McCarthy So Far in Minnesota
McCarthy’s Minnesota chapter has gone almost nothing like anybody drew it up – – except for the cynics.
He missed his entire rookie season to a knee injury, finally started 10 games in 2025, then watched the Vikings bring in Murray and hand him the QB1 job at training camp. Carson Wentz has since shoved ahead of McCarthy for QB2, leaving the former 10th overall pick third on the depth chart. Yes, that really happened.
The results haven’t exactly forced Minnesota to reconsider. McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes last season for 1,632 yards, tossing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. There were encouraging moments late in the year, but not enough to erase the larger skepticism. He’s a developmental quarterback again, plain and simple. His EPA+CPOE as a first-time starter was wholly atrocious.
Youth on His Side; Dallas Turner Is Proof
The silliest mistake would be treating McCarthy like a finished product because 2025 went sideways. He’s 23 years old. Dallas Turner is also 23, and Vikings fans just watched impatience with him age rather poorly. Turner played only 300 defensive snaps as a rookie, jumped to eight sacks in Year 2, and now has three more through two games in 2026. By the numbers, Turner is an early Defensive Player of the Year contender, some months after a faction of fans wondered if he was a bust.
Quarterback development can take even longer. McCarthy has only the 10 NFL starts, while his entire rookie season disappeared before it began. So yes, Minnesota has every reason to prefer Murray right now, but that’s different from declaring McCarthy rotten. Turner is a handy reminder.
Giants Will Need Another QB No Matter What
After Dart, it’s Jameis Winston and Jake Haener at quarterback. And Winston looked awful in Dart’s stead against the Los Angeles Rams. But for now, he’s the starter.
Another quarterback has to enter the building soon. Maybe that’s a low-cost veteran. Perhaps New York raids somebody’s practice squad. Or – – general manager Joe Schoen decides this is the moment to take a longer swing on a 23-year-old he reportedly considered with the sixth pick in 2024. That’s the Myers plan.
McCarthy would be far more intriguing than a temporary QB3. He’d give the Giants insurance today while adding another young quarterback to evaluate behind Dart later.
Trade Compensation Price?
Here’s the part where the theory gets tricky. Myers suggested McCarthy could probably be acquired for a “mid-round pick,” which seems high. If Myers really means a 3rd- or 4th-rounder, the purple team might have to pounce. McCarthy looked absolutely terrible in the preseason, then slid to QB3 behind Murray and Wentz. Minnesota might be fortunate to get a 5th-round pick.
A legitimate mid-round offer could change the conversation. The Vikings can keep McCarthy as a developmental lottery ticket, but there’s also a point where holding onto the old draft investment counts less than accepting what the player is worth today. If New York actually put a 4th-rounder on the table, Minnesota might have to pull the trigger.
Even the aforementioned 5th-rounder would deserve a serious conversation among general manager Nolan Teasley, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and the Vikings’ owners.
Overall, the Vikings are more likely to hang on to McCarthy through the end of 2026. They need the depth. “What to do with McCarthy?” talkers will smack you in the face during the 2027 offseason. They’re coming.
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VikesNow Verdict: McCarthy’s old draft stock shouldn’t dictate his current price. He’s QB3 after an ugly preseason, and Minnesota might be fortunate to receive a 5th-rounder. But if New York offers a mid-round pick, the Vikings should have a real conversation.
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