The New York Giants’ postseason hopes vanished overnight when their star quarterback, Jaxson Dart, got injured. On September 28, New York made headlines trading for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. He, however, isn’t a savior for New York’s quarterback crisis.
McCarthy was a rising star in college. His pass completion rate improved, and his passing yards increased each season at Michigan. He seemed destined for success in the NFL.
J.J. McCarthy Wasn’t A Savior For Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings, however, didn’t get the McCarthy who completed 72.3% of his passes in his junior season. After missing his entire rookie year because of injury, he started 10 games in 2025. His pass completion rate was only 57.6%. That’s not the worst stat, though, as he threw for 11 touchdowns but also 12 interceptions and was sacked 27 times.
McCarthy became a third-string quarterback behind Carson Wentz after the Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason. When a team willingly accepts a white flag on a top-10 pick less than three years into his career, the rest of the league needs to pay attention. Minnesota lost confidence in McCarthy, so why are the Giants so hopeful he can save them?
Part of the reason is head coach John Harbaugh, the brother of McCarthy’s head coach at Michigan. Before New York traded for McCarthy, John talked with Jim about the quarterback’s college days, and the younger Harbaugh called McCarthy the greatest quarterback in Michigan history. If Jim has that much faith in his former Wolverines quarterback, then he should have no problem with signing him when McCarthy enters free agency.
The Giants Can’t Afford Another Gamble
It’s also worth noting what New York was giving up for the quarterback. Receiving a top-10 pick two years ago for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick is the textbook definition of a low-risk trade. If McCarthy flops, then there’s minimal damage done. If the quarterback finds success for his new team, then it’ll be a steal for the Giants.
That’s a major if, however, and for a Giants team that’s been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, they can’t afford that if. Following a 2022 playoff berth that ended in disappointment, the Giants plummeted downhill, suffering through consecutive last-place finishes in the NFC East.
Dart’s arrival was supposed to be the silver lining for New York’s fanbase, and despite the team’s 4-13 record in his rookie season, he was a bright spot. Throwing 15 touchdowns against five interceptions in 14 games, this franchise felt it could be lifted out of the basement.
Even with McCarthy in a Giants uniform, Harbaugh has decided to stick with Jameis Winston as the starter. While a safer option, it’s still a dangerous roller coaster. He’s gone from having 20+ touchdown seasons to having more interceptions than touchdown seasons. For a Giants coaching staff navigating a sudden quarterback crisis, Winston and McCarthy are both volatile options. Winston, however, understands the demands of an NFL field better than a quarterback who hasn’t been the same since his final collegiate season.
Dart’s injury has undoubtedly shattered the Giants’ season, and now they’re forced to pick up the pieces by finding a new starting quarterback. New York can’t afford to treat McCarthy like the answer. Just because he was once a top-10 pick and Jim Harbaugh believes in him doesn’t make up for his lackluster performance in the NFL. At best, he’s an investment for the future but not a quick fix for this season.
