| Quick Answer JJ McCarthy is no longer a Minnesota Viking. On 28 September 2026, the Vikings traded him to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick, after he lost the starting job to Kyler Murray. He joins the Giants as cover for Jaxson Dart, who is out for the season with a knee injury. His NFL numbers so far: 243 attempts, 140 completions, 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. |
JJ McCarthy’s NFL story just took its biggest twist yet. The quarterback the Minnesota Vikings once built their future around is now a New York Giant. If you’ve lost track of what’s happened to him this year, don’t worry — here’s the full picture in plain English: the trade, the stats, and the long injury list that got him here.
Breaking News: JJ McCarthy Traded to the Giants
On 28 September 2026, the Vikings sent McCarthy to the New York Giants in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news, and it didn’t take long to spread across the league.
The move makes sense once you look at how his year had gone. McCarthy came into the 2026 season fighting for the Vikings’ starting job and lost it to Kyler Murray. Carson Wentz then moved ahead of him too, leaving McCarthy third on the depth chart and without a single snap through the first three weeks of the season.
Across the river, the Giants had a real problem. Their starter, Jaxson Dart, went down with a season-ending knee injury. New York needed a fresh arm behind Jameis Winston, and a former top-10 pick was suddenly available for a bargain price. The deal got done fast, and it’s official pending McCarthy passing his physical.
For Minnesota, trading McCarthy frees up roughly $2.5 million in salary cap space and closes the book on a pick that simply didn’t work out as planned. Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said the team had fielded plenty of calls about McCarthy once his spot on the depth chart became clear.
JJ McCarthy’s NFL Stats So Far
McCarthy has played one full NFL season, and the numbers tell the story of a talented but unfinished quarterback. Here’s the breakdown from his 2025 campaign with Minnesota:
| Season | Team | Att | Comp | Yards | TD | INT |
| 2025 | Vikings | 243 | 140 | 1,632 | 11 | 12 |
He completed 57.6% of his passes for an average of 6.7 yards per attempt, with 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also added four rushing touchdowns, showing the mobility that made him such an exciting prospect at Michigan.
Speaking of Michigan — that’s where McCarthy built his reputation. He went 27-1 as a starter over three seasons, the best winning percentage by a college quarterback in decades. In his final year, he completed 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns, and led the Wolverines to a perfect 15-0 season and the 2023 national championship.
JJ McCarthy’s Injury History: Why He’s Struggled to Stay on the Field
Talent was never the question with McCarthy. Health has been. Since Minnesota drafted him 10th overall in 2024, he’s dealt with one setback after another:
- Torn meniscus (2024 preseason) — needed two surgeries and cost him his entire rookie season
- Ankle sprain (September 2025) — kept him out for roughly five games
- Concussion (November 2025) — sidelined him for a game
- Fractured hand (December 2025) — a small hairline fracture that cost him more starts late in the year
Add it up, and McCarthy missed or left early from seven games in his first real season. It’s easy to see why durability, not raw ability, became the biggest question mark around him — and why the Vikings decided a change of scenery made sense for everyone.
What’s Next for JJ McCarthy in New York
McCarthy joins the Giants as Jameis Winston’s backup, and he’ll need time to learn a new playbook before he’s ready to play. But the door to a starting job is wide open if Winston struggles or gets hurt. At just 23 years old, McCarthy still has the physical tools that made him a top-10 pick — a strong arm, quick feet, and a track record of winning big games. New York gives him a clean slate and a coaching staff eager to find out what he can really do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has JJ McCarthy been traded?
Yes. The Minnesota Vikings traded him to the New York Giants on 28 September 2026 for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Why did the Vikings trade JJ McCarthy?
He lost the starting job to Kyler Murray in preseason and had fallen to third on the depth chart behind Murray and Carson Wentz. Injuries also played a part in the decision.
What injuries has JJ McCarthy had?
He tore his meniscus before his rookie season (two surgeries), sprained his ankle in September 2025, suffered a concussion in November 2025, and broke a bone in his hand in December 2025.
What are JJ McCarthy’s career stats?
In his only NFL season so far, he threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on a 57.6% completion rate. At Michigan, he went 27-1 as a starter and won the 2023 national title.
Will JJ McCarthy start for the Giants?
Not straight away. He joins as backup to Jameis Winston, but he is expected to get a real chance to start later in the 2026 season.
Further Reading
ESPN — Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy suffers hand injury
Star Tribune — JJ McCarthy trade: Vikings QB to join the Giants
Pro Football Rumors — Vikings Trade QB J.J. McCarthy To Giants
