MINNEAPOLIMEDIA SPORTS | Vikings Trade J.J. McCarthy to Giants for 2027 Fifth-Round Draft Pick

EAGAN, MN (September 29, 2026). The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to trade quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants for a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, ending a closely watched but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to develop the former first-round pick into the team’s long-term starter.

The trade was announced Monday and remains subject to McCarthy passing a physical.

Minnesota selected McCarthy with the 10th overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft after he helped Michigan win a national championship. He missed his entire rookie season after suffering a knee injury during his first preseason game.

McCarthy returned to compete for the starting position but continued to experience injury and performance setbacks. The Vikings signed veteran Kyler Murray during the offseason, and Murray won the starting job before the 2026 regular season.

McCarthy subsequently fell behind Carson Wentz on the depth chart and was serving as Minnesota’s third-string quarterback before the trade.

The Giants moved for McCarthy after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart underwent surgery on his left knee. Dart is expected to miss at least the remainder of the regular season. New York started Jameis Winston in Sunday’s victory over Tennessee, and Head Coach John Harbaugh said Winston would start again against Arizona.

For Minnesota, receiving only a fifth-round selection for a former No. 10 overall pick confirms how sharply McCarthy’s value declined following his injuries and limited development.

The trade also removes any remaining uncertainty surrounding Murray’s status. Murray returned from a concussion Sunday and helped the Vikings improve to 3-0 with a 23-16 victory over Tampa Bay.

Minnesota now has Murray, Wentz and former Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer in its quarterback group.

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