McCarthy Trade Grades: Giants C, Vikings B+ — SkimNews
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- Minnesota Vikings traded QB J.J. McCarthy to the Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick ahead of the Nov. 10, 2026 trade deadline.
- The trade grades went to the Giants (C) and Vikings (B+), reflecting Minnesota recouping draft capital while saving remaining 2026-2027 compensation on McCarthy.
- Giants' quarterback room — Jameis Winston signed a two-year, $13 million extension just 22 days before the deal, while starter Jaxson Dart is out with a Week 2 knee injury expected to sideline him at least through the regular season.
- McCarthy's NFL resume — the 2024 No. 10 pick posted a 36.1 QBR in 2025 (38th of 45 qualifying QBs), threw interceptions at a 4.2% rate, and lost the Vikings' backup competition to Carson Wentz during training camp.
- The Harbaugh connection — the trade reunites McCarthy with John Harbaugh, whose brother Jim coached McCarthy at Michigan.
- Cross-coverage consensus — ESPN headlines stress Winston remains QB1 and ask whether McCarthy is "the answer," aligning with the source's lukewarm C grade.
Why it matters: The Vikings extracted a fifth-round pick and salary savings from a quarterback who lost both the starter and backup competitions in Minnesota, while the Giants — who extended Winston just 22 days prior — now carry a third QB whose 2025 efficiency metrics ranked in the bottom ten of the league.
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