Report: Giants Expected to Add Quarterback Soon, With Vikings' McCarthy Still in Mix
The short version
- Tom Pelissero reports the Giants are expected to add a quarterback with starting experience, possibly by Monday
- Adam Schefter reported Thursday the Giants have not contacted Minnesota about a JJ McCarthy trade
- McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter in 2025 with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
- The 2-0 Vikings lead the NFC North heading into Sunday's game at Tampa Bay
Tom Pelissero reports New York is working the phones for a passer with starting experience, and JJ McCarthy remains a possible trade target even after Adam Schefter said no contact has been made.
The New York Giants are expected to acquire another quarterback, possibly as soon as Monday, according to a report by NFL insider Tom Pelissero on his Substack, "The Sweep." General manager Joe Schoen has been exploring all available options, including trades, since the team learned the severity of Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury.
The Giants head into Sunday's home game against the Tennessee Titans with only two healthy quarterbacks: Jameis Winston and practice-squad member Jake Haener. Pelissero writes that league sources view an addition as a matter of when, not if, with the team targeting a passer who has starting experience.
Among the names Pelissero lists as possible trade targets are Mac Jones, Spencer Rattler and Minnesota Vikings third-string quarterback JJ McCarthy. That keeps alive a connection that surfaced as soon as Dart was lost for the year, though it appeared to fade earlier in the week.
On Thursday, Adam Schefter reported that the Giants had not contacted the Vikings about a McCarthy trade and probably would not. That report had quieted speculation linking the 2024 first-round pick to New York.
Pelissero lays out several reasons McCarthy could still fit in New York beyond the 2026 season. The Giants extensively scouted him before taking Dart in the 2025 draft, and McCarthy's mobility would suit offensive coordinator Matt Nagy's movement-based concepts that figure to be dormant while the pocket-passing Winston starts. At 23, McCarthy is less than four months older than Dart and remains on a rookie contract.
The Giants still believe in Dart, who was strong in a season-opening win over Dallas, but his style of play carries injury risk. By season's end he will have missed 17 of a possible 34 career games, which could make adding a young competitor for 2027 appealing.
McCarthy started 10 games for Minnesota in 2025, winning six, including four of the five straight victories that closed the regular season. He completed 57.6 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Vikings, meanwhile, are 2-0 and lead the NFC North over the 1-1 Lions and Bears and the 1-2 Packers. McCarthy has remained the third-stringer behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, and Minnesota may be reluctant to deal away its emergency depth — Murray already left the opener with a concussion, forcing Wentz to start in Week 2.
The Vikings visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, September 27 at 4:05 PM EDT at Raymond James Stadium, with the game airing on FOX.
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