The New York Giants have reshaped their quarterback rotation behind newly named starter Jameis Winston following a trade with the Minnesota Vikings for former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The move comes in response to severe injuries within the franchise’s offensive roster.
The Giants sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for McCarthy. The acquisition addresses immediate depth concerns sparked by starter Jaxson Dart undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn MCL and meniscus sustained in Los Angeles.
Dart’s recovery timeline is projected at four to six months. This positions the young signal-caller to return for offseason workouts. In the interim, head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy have committed to Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium.
McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan, arrives in East Rutherford after a challenging tenure in Minnesota. During his 10 starts in the 2025 season, McCarthy completed 57.6 percent of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions while adding 181 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. After the Vikings acquired Kyler Murray and utilized Carson Wentz, McCarthy slipped to third on their depth chart, making him expendable.
The arrival of McCarthy immediately alters the dynamic of the Giants’ quarterback room. Team reports indicate he will initially slot in as the primary backup once he is fully integrated into the offensive playbook. League insiders confirm that the trade is viewed as a necessary upgrade to secure the backup spot behind Winston rather than an immediate challenge to the starting position.
Concurrently, the Giants made a corresponding roster move by placing quarterback Jake Haener on waivers. If Haener clears waivers, he is expected to return to the franchise’s practice squad to maintain organizational depth.
Winston maintained a steady approach during a 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans, completing 11 of 22 passes for 118 yards while avoiding turnovers. The Giants coaching staff praised his ball protection, noting it aligns with the formula required to win games while the team navigates health challenges.
Updated New York Giants Quarterback Depth Chart
- QB1: Jameis Winston
- QB2: J.J. McCarthy
- Practice Squad: Jake Haener (Waived)
- Injured Reserve: Jaxson Dart (Torn MCL/Meniscus)
As McCarthy learns the offensive system under Harbaugh, Nagy, quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan, and senior offensive assistant Greg Roman, the organization remains focused on maintaining its competitive edge at 2-1 heading into Week 4.
