The New York Giants have acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings following an injury to Jaxson Dart, according to roster transactions and league reports from late September.
Giants Pivot to McCarthy After Roster Shook by Injuries
Faced with a sudden need at the position, the New York Giants orchestrated a surprising deal to bring in J.J. McCarthy rather than signing an established veteran. McCarthy spent the early portion of the season as the third quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings after struggling to meet expectations following his draft selection.
To finalize the trade, the New York Giants sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-year-old signal-caller entered the league in 2024 as the tenth overall selection in the first round of the NFL draft. During his stint in Minnesota, he started ten games and won six. Over those appearances, he averaged 163 passing yards per game, throwing 11 touchdowns alongside 12 interceptions.
Steelers Cornerback Generates Trade Interest Across the League
While the Giants addressed their quarterback depth, trade discussions quietly surrounded other star players across the NFL. According to reports from ESPN, the Pittsburgh Steelers received multiple trade inquiries regarding cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who has remained sidelined while seeking a new contract.
The Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions emerged as at least two franchises that contacted the Pittsburgh Steelers to evaluate the cornerback’s availability. League sources indicated that the Steelers would demand an enormous compensation package to part ways with Porter, who remains on his rookie contract. The Pittsburgh franchise maintains a strict organizational policy against negotiating contracts during the active season.
Eagles Bring Back Super Bowl Champion Zach Ertz
In another notable roster shift, the Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad. The move addresses a significant injury vacancy after Dallas Goedert suffered a medial collateral ligament injury. Goedert previously stepped into the starting role following Ertz’s departure from the franchise.
Ertz previously helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots in 2017. ESPN reported that Ertz feels fully recovered after rehabilitating a cruciate ligament injury sustained in December. The veteran pass-catcher sits just ten receptions away from tying Harold Carmichael for the franchise record, having accumulated 579 catches during his tenure in Philadelphia.
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