The New York Giants have swung a very intriguing deal with the acquisition of former first round pick, J.J. McCarthy to back-up Jamies Winston, who struggled in Big Blue's 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
McCarthy, once drafted 10th overall in the 2024 draft, was supposed to be the apple of the eye of Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, but failed to live up to expectations. McCarthy lost the starting job last season when it was given to him, despite going 6-4 in 10 games as the Vikings starter in 2025.
This summer McCarthy became the odd man out, as the Vikings brought in two veteran quarterbacks in Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, both of whom have helped lead Minnesota to a 3-0 start the season.
Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh is certainly familiar with McCarthy since his brother, Jim, coached the quarterback at Michigan over three seasons, winning a National Championship in 2024.
The Giants gave up a fifth round pick to the Vikings in order to get the deal done, but it does create a very interesting dynamic not only for this season but for 2027. McCarthy is due to make $1.19 million next season with a $3.77 million cap hit, the final year of his rookie deal in 2027.
Meanwhile incumbent starter Jaxson Dart still has two years on his rookie year through 2028; the veteran, Jamies Winston is also on a multi-million deal through the '28 season as well.
What if McCarthy finds a way to sub-plant Winston as the starter this season, plays very well and leads the Giants to the playoffs? What do you do if your are Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh? Suddenly the Giants have a quarterback controversy on their hand in '27 with Dart and McCarthy. Would they consider trading one of them?
It's worthy speculation for another day, but for the time being, the Giants hope they have solved their quarterback depth issues following Dart's season ending knee injury.
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