Giants reporter shares final verdict on trade rumors regarding Vikings' J.J. McCarthy

A Wednesday report revealed that "no contending team is trading" a primary backup quarterback to the New York Giants after Giants starter Jaxson Dart went down with a knee injury that will keep him out of action through at least the rest of the regular season.

The reality of that situation is one reason multiple members of the NFL community have linked the Giants with Minnesota Vikings third-year pro J.J. McCarthy. On Wednesday, NFL reporter Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post shared that he doesn't envision the Giants "pursuing" McCarthy.

For an article published on Thursday, Giants insider Dan Duggan of The Athletic expanded on Dunleavy's take. 

J.J. McCarthy red flags too much for Giants to ignore?

"The Giants scouted McCarthy heavily during the 2024 pre-draft process before taking wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth pick instead," Duggan wrote. "That type of pedigree sticks with a player, even when the start of his career has been as rocky as McCarthy’s. He lost a quarterback competition to Kyler Murray this offseason and is third on the Vikings’ depth chart behind backup Carson Wentz. ...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." 

McCarthy spent his entire rookie campaign recovering from a full meniscus repair, and he then was so unimpressive over 10 starts last season that the Vikings signed the previously mentioned Murray this past March. In August, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell didn't even wait until the club's first preseason game to name Murray his Week 1 QB1. Since that time, the perception has existed that no team has offered the Vikings anything of note for McCarthy. 

Why Giants won't take a flier on J.J. McCarthy for 2026 or 2027

"Considering his struggles in a quarterback-friendly system in Minnesota," Duggan added, "there’s no reason to believe McCarthy would be an upgrade on [Giants backup Jameis Winston]."

Winston will start for the 1-1 Giants when they host the 0-2 Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday. 

"It would be different if the 23-year-old McCarthy offered greater upside," Duggan continued. "But Dart is going to reclaim his starting spot when he returns next season, and Winston’s extension locks him in at least for 2027." 

Duggan, Dunleavy and others have said that veteran free agent Jimmy Garoppolo is a much more realistic option for the Giants as it pertains to the club adding a quarterback to its roster. Signing Garoppolo likely wouldn't move the needle for Giants fans, but it nevertheless seems like New York will not complete a headline-generating trade for a signal-caller this fall.