Giants Floated as Possible Trade Destination for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

A potentially season-ending knee injury to Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has renewed speculation that Minnesota's third-string passer could be on the move.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was hurt during the opening quarter of Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams. What first looked like an absence of a few weeks may be far worse: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Dart could need knee surgery that would end his season.

Veteran Jameis Winston replaced Dart and struggled, connecting on 11 of 27 throws for 111 yards with an interception. Longtime Giants beat writer Gary Myers argued on X that a trade for Minnesota Vikings third-string quarterback J.J. McCarthy would be a low-risk fix, noting general manager Joe Schoen considered McCarthy with the sixth overall pick in 2024 before selecting Malik Nabers.

Myers pointed out that Jim Harbaugh, brother of Giants head coach John Harbaugh, coached McCarthy to a national championship at Michigan in 2023 and has praised him highly. He suggested the price could be a mid-round pick, with McCarthy fitting the run-pass option scheme New York ran with Dart.

According to the report, Minnesota is not actively shopping McCarthy while sitting at 2-0, with Kyler Murray expected back Sunday and Carson Wentz having led the team so far. But the Vikings would reportedly listen, and Dart's injury could push the compensation from a sixth-round pick toward a fifth-rounder.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has reported Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was not prepared to give up on McCarthy before the season, though the quarterback has one year left on his rookie deal and an uncertain path to the starting job.