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Two years ago, a franchise spent a top-10 pick on a quarterback it believed could define its next decade. Now it is cutting bait. The Minnesota Vikings are moving on from J.J. McCarthy, and the JJ McCarthy trade is headed to the New York Giants.

The Terms of the Deal

Following reports of a trade, the Vikings confirmed they are sending McCarthy to New York in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The deal is pending McCarthy passing a physical exam.

How the Job Slipped Away

McCarthy lost the starting job to former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray before the season began. He eventually settled in as Minnesota's No. 3 quarterback, behind Carson Wentz, who started the first two games.

A Career Derailed by Injuries

The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall just two years ago. A rookie season lost to injury and inconsistent play last year pushed them to look for other options. McCarthy, 23, has missed 24 of a possible 34 games in his first two years. In 10 starts last season, he completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and added 181 rushing yards and four scores.

A Debut That Promised More

McCarthy's NFL debut in Week 1 of last season was a strong one: two touchdown passes and a rushing score in a 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears. The high came with a quick crash. He suffered a high ankle sprain the following week against the Atlanta Falcons, missed five games and returned in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.

Why New York Needed a Quarterback

The Giants' starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. Jameis Winston took over in that 28-6 loss and also started Sunday's 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans, completing 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards.

The One That Got Away in 2024

The connection carries some draft-night irony. New York held the sixth overall pick in 2024 and could have taken McCarthy, but chose wide receiver Malik Nabers instead. McCarthy was the fifth quarterback taken among six selected in the first 12 picks. Caleb Williams went to Chicago, Jayden Daniels to Washington and Drake Maye to New England with the first three picks. Michael Penix went eighth to Atlanta, followed by McCarthy at No. 10 and Bo Nix to Denver at No. 12.

A Familiar Family Tree

Giants head coach John Harbaugh is the brother of Jim Harbaugh, who coached McCarthy at Michigan and now leads the Los Angeles Chargers.

A Winner Before the NFL

McCarthy lost only three games as a starter through high school and college, including a 27-1 record at Michigan on the way to a championship. Whether that winning touch can travel to New York remains the question the Giants are betting a fifth-round pick on.