The Giants’ acquisition of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a trade with the Vikings leads to plenty of questions about why this particular player and what it means at the position. We are here to provide answers, as best as possible. Here we go: 

Q: Is McCarthy worth giving up a 2027 fifth-round draft pick? 

A: At this point, it is not much of a gamble and not too much of an expenditure for this reason: No one cares about the backup quarterback until the starter gets hurt. Then the backup becomes the most important player on the team. If Jameis Winston is healthy and can start all 15 games in place of Jaxson Dart, more power to him. If he gets hurt, the replacement cannot be someone who gives the Giants no chance to win. If Winston plays terribly, a move must be made, and that move could not be Jake Haener (one NFL start) as QB2. McCarthy was a major bust in Minnesota, but he has ability. Consider the fifth-round pick as collateral damage from losing Jaxson Dart. Heck, think of how the Vikings must feel. They sent fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Jets in 2024 to move up from No. 11 to No. 10 to get McCarthy. Yikes. 

Q: What does this mean for next year’s draft? 

A: Nothing great. The Giants now have only five picks in the 2027 draft: first round, second round, third round and two in the sixth round. They might be awarded a compensatory pick (perhaps a fourth-rounder). Either way, that is not much draft capital to maneuver if they want to do so. 

Q: Should Winston be looking over his shoulder? 

A: No. And yes. He was terrible coming off the bench against the Rams and squeezed out a victory in the rain and wind over the moribund Titans without getting the Giants in the end zone. A coaching staff can navigate around the quarterback for only so long, and saying “Just run the ball” is not a plan. For now, Winston is the starter. He signed a two-year extension for $13 million because this regime believed he has value on and off the field. Now he has to be on the field, and he has to pick it up, as McCarthy, in time, could be a viable alternative.