The Minnesota Vikings made their move at quarterback Monday morning, sending J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants in a deal that closes the book on his run in Minnesota.
The trade comes after a stretch in which the Vikings have been searching for answers on offense during the Kevin O’Connell era. The season had already been leaning on defense and special teams, and with the quarterback situation still unsettled, Minnesota opted to move on from the former No. 10 overall pick.
McCarthy had been linked to New York for a couple of weeks, and the deal was finalized Monday pending a physical. In return, the Vikings are getting a 2027 fifth-round pick. The pick is unconditional, and the move also clears more than $4.6 million in cash and cap space, according to Tom Pelissero.
Trade: Vikings are sending J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants, sources me, @rapsheet and @mikegarafolo. pic.twitter.com/naQOQ6zhzC
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2026
The trade is for a 2027 fifth-round pick, pending a physical. McCarthy was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft. https://t.co/s60AHkq210
- Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 28, 2026
That return lines up with what had been expected around the league. Minnesota gets a guaranteed asset rather than a conditional package, and the Giants get a quarterback who now gets a fresh start in New York.
McCarthy’s Minnesota résumé ends with 10 games played, all starts, across parts of three seasons. He completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 72.6 QB Rating.
For the Vikings, the depth chart now points toward Max Brosmer, who is currently on the practice squad and would be the emergency QB3 on game days.
McCarthy’s next stop is the Giants, where he will try to prove he can be a better quarterback right now than Jameis Winston.
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