The New York Giants are trading for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy after losing Jaxson Dart for the rest of the 2026 NFL season. Dart suffered a year-ending knee injury early in New York's Week Two defeat to the Los Angeles Rams as they begin a new chapter in their first season under head coach John Harbaugh.

Veteran Jameis Winston replaced Dart under center and started on Sunday as the Giants beat the Tennessee Titans to improve to 2-1 on the year. NFL Network reported that the Giants are trading a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings in exchange for McCarthy, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 Draft.

For more than one reason McCarthy has failed to establish himself as Minnesota's starter since being drafted out of Michigan, where he played under Jim Harbaugh, brother of Giants head coach John. He suffered a year-ending injury in preseason of his rookie campaign, paving the way for Sam Darnold to launch his career revival by spearheading Kevin O'Connell's side to an unlikely playoff berth.

McCarthy marked his NFL debut by helping the Vikings overturn an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Chicago Bears in Week One of the 2025 season. He leaves the Vikings with a record of 6-4, his last appearance coming against the Baltimore Ravens in preseason in August. The Giants had entered the season enthused by a fresh start under John Harbaugh, who left the Ravens after 18 seasons earlier this year.