With Jaxson Dart done for the rest of the regular season, the Giants are suddenly staring at a quarterback problem much earlier than anyone expected in Week 3. For John Harbaugh, who is trying to make his first real impression as New York’s new head coach, the timing could hardly be worse.
That has pushed the organization into a search for answers for the 2026-27 season, and one name that has surfaced is J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy, who is with the Minnesota Vikings and not starting this season, has become part of the conversation as New York looks at possible options. But the buzz does not seem to be building toward an actual pursuit.
Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post made that clear on Wednesday, writing on X, "Never say never. But J.J. McCarthy is one available QB I cannot see #Giants pursuing."
Dan Duggan of The Athletic echoed that view in a feature published Thursday, saying he does not see McCarthy as a fit for the Giants. Duggan pointed to New York’s heavy scouting of McCarthy during the 2024 pre-draft process before the team selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth pick instead. As Duggan put it, "That type of pedigree sticks with a player, even when the start of his career has been as rocky as McCarthy's."
Duggan also noted that McCarthy is coming off a quarterback competition loss to Kyler Murray and is now third on the Vikings’ depth chart behind Carson Wentz. In his view, even a modest trade price would be too much, since "even parting with one of the 2027 sixth-rounders or a late-round pick in a future draft for McCarthy seems wasteful. He'd need to come in and learn a new offense on the fly during the season."
For now, the idea of McCarthy landing with the Giants does not look especially strong. It is still possible the situation changes, but right now the signs point the other way.
In Other News...
Aaron Rodgers Just Put Bengals Pass Rush In Steelers Spotlight
Cincinnatis 2-0 start has come with the kind of defensive edge that can travel, and it was on display again in the win over Houston. Now the Bengals turn their attention to Pittsburgh, where the matchup is already tilting toward their front seven after the Steelers have stumbled through two games on offense and enter a week that looks like a stress test for their blocking.
Aaron Rodgers added to the intrigue by praising Bengals defensive standout Dexter Lawrence ahead of the matchup, a nod to just how disruptive Cincinnati can be when its pass rush is rolling. For a Steelers line already dealing with pressure, that kind of recognition only sharpens the spotlight on what awaits Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals May Already Have An Answer To Their Joe Burrow Problem
The Bengals are off to a 2-0 start, and Joe Burrow has been a major reason why the offense has looked so sharp out of the gate. Even with the quarterback doing his part, the bigger picture still points to the same old concern in Cincinnati: keeping him clean long enough for the attack to stay on schedule. The offensive line has held up well so far, which has helped ease some of that burden, but the team has also been looking for ways to make Burrows life a little less hectic on obvious passing downs.
One possible answer is already on the roster in Samaje Perine, whose value goes beyond what he does with the ball in his hands. His reputation as a reliable pass blocker makes him a useful option when the Bengals want to give Burrow extra support against pressure, especially in situations where protection matters most. If Cincinnati leans on him more in those spots, it could be a simple way to protect its quarterback without changing the shape of the offense too much. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Nearly Made A Rival AFC North Choice On Defense
When the Bengals went looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing their former one, they did not limit themselves to familiar names inside the building. Zac Taylor brought in Patrick Graham for an interview, a reminder that Cincinnati was weighing a coach with broad NFL experience and a rsum that stretches from the Patriots to the Giants and Raiders before the team ultimately chose Al Golden.
Graham now runs the Steelers defense, which only adds another layer to the AFC North backdrop around the decision. He also brings connections to players such as Maxx Crosby and Dexter Lawrence, and his current job in Pittsburgh gives the Bengals another face to track in a division where coaching moves can matter just as much as personnel ones. The interview itself did not change Cincinnatis hire, but it shows how close the team came to taking a different defensive path inside its biggest rivalry. [Read more 🡒]