Vikings Finally Admit Defeat, Trade 1st-Round QB3 for Pennies on the Dollar

Count me among those who believe that the Minnesota Vikings have made a mistake. Why not keep him if that’s all that’s being offered?

The Vikings finally threw in the towel on J.J. McCarthy by trading him away to the New York Giants. Doing so means moving on from the highest-drafted passer in franchise history a couple of years after trading up to get him at No. 10 overall. The compensation is a mere 5th-Round selection.

Vikings Finally Move Off of J.J. McCarthy

About an hour ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter sent along word of McCarthy getting traded away.

The word: “Trade: Vikings are sending J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants, sources me, @rapsheet and @mikegarafolo.”

Since then, the team itself has confirmed the news. Consider Minnesota’s social media: “The #Vikings have traded QB J.J. McCarthy to the Giants in exchange for a 5th-round pick. The completion of this trade is pending McCarthy passing a physical.”

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants — Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lately, there has been a lot of smoke about this precise possibility coming to fruition.

Jaxson Dart has been lost for the season due to injury. NFL writers such as Gary Meyers (read more) and Jeremy Fowler (read more) pointed to New York’s in-house work on McCarthy going into the 2024 NFL Draft alongside the coaching connection on this one. Each hit the bullseye.

More fascinating, perhaps, has been the comments from Kevin O’Connell and Nolan Teasley.

O’Connell, in particular, is going to be under a ton of scrutiny. His past comments have included a public proclamation about McCarthy being the long-awaited franchise passer. So, too, is he going to get slammed with his previous comments about franchises failing quarterbacks before a quarterback fails a franchise. Haven’t the Vikings done precisely that?

More recently, the skipper has been found describing a desire to continue working alongside McCarthy, albeit as a depth option. Teasley has echoed those comments, praising the young arm for his talent and commitment to being a great teammate.

The Vikings moved on a few weeks later, doing so for the upside of a 5th-Round selection.

J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O'Connell at the New York Giants in 2025 — Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Minnesota will now have a vacancy at QB3. Expect them to fill it with somebody other than Max Brosmer, who is the quarterback operating on the Vikings’ practice squad. Does Will Levis make sense? What about Nick Mullens? Each reside on their teams’ practice squads, meaning a bump up to a 53 is possible if the Vikings want to go for the poach.

Kyler Murray has already missed time due to injury. Carson Wentz is in his mid-30s and has taken some hits that have left him in in some pain in the still-young 2026. Not having a respectable QB3 would be a very poor approach.

In New York, J.J. McCarthy will share a quarterback room with Jameis Winston. A former No. 1 overall selection, Winston can mentor McCarthy. He’ll get coached up by John Harbaugh as he looks to reset his NFL career.

The kid is 23.