Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy to New York Giants for 5th round pick
Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy: 'This was the best path forward'
Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley spoke with reporters Monday about the decision to trade J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants after two-plus seasons. McCarthy went 6-4 with the Vikings as the starting quarterback, but lost the job to Kyler Murray this season.
EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The J.J. McCarthy era with the Minnesota Vikings is over after two-plus seasons and 10 starts.
Vikings trade J.J. McCarthy to Giants
What we know:
The Vikings announced Monday they are trading J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Vikings deal J.J. McCarthy to New York Giants for fifth round pick
The J.J. McCarthy era is over with the Minnesota Vikings. The team traded him on Monday to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth round pick. FOX 9's Dawn Mitchell was at TCO Performance Center on Monday to hear what Nolan Teasley, Kevin O'Connell and players had to say.
The Giants need quarterback depth after Jaxson Dart went down with a knee injury that requires season-ending surgery. The Giants have Jameis Winston as their current starting quarterback.
McCarthy’s Vikings’ tenure
Why you should care:
The Vikings moved up to the No. 10 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft to draft McCarthy, fresh off a national championship at Michigan. McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter for his career, but was inconsistent running the offense and had trouble staying healthy.
He missed seven games last season with a concussion, ankle and hand injuries. He missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus.
The Vikings brought in Kyler Murray on a veteran minimum contract this offseason, and he beat out McCarthy for the starting job.
Vikings players react after J.J. McCarthy traded to Giants
Minnesota Vikings players Brian O'Neill and Levi Drake-Rodriguez spoke from the locker room on Monday at TCO Performance Center after the news that J.J. McCarthy was traded to the New York Giants.
Vikings GM Nolan Teasley: ‘This was the best path forward’
What they're saying:
Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley addressed reporters from TCO Performance Center Monday afternoon, saying McCarthy handled the news like a professional.
Teasley said he's gotten several calls in recent weeks inquiring about McCarthy, and the decision was made Monday morning to do a deal with the Giants.
"There’s a responsibility to make decisions that we believe are in the best interest of the organization. Sometimes those decisions aren’t easy, when a different situation or new opportunity presents itself, it has the opportunity to create better outcomes," Teasley said. "This was the best path forward and the best decision for the Minnesota Vikings. We still have a ton of respect for J.J., appreciate his professionalism since I’ve been in this building. He’s a pro, his story is not yet written in this league. I enjoyed my time getting to know J.J., I want the best for him."
Teasley said McCarthy did not request a trade.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell also addressed the McCarthy trade on Monday.
"I’ve spent a ton of time with J.J. over the past couple years plus. I care about him, I have tremendous respect for him, had a chance to spend time with him this morning, which was emotional. These situations are never easy. Today is a tough day," O'Connell said. "Nothing about this changes the way I feel about J.J. or the hopes I have for him. I think it’s a good opportunity in New York, I’ll be pulling for him like crazy."
The Source: The Vikings announced the trade Monday, and Nolan Teasley spoke with reporters.