JJ McCarthy Trade Was a 'Steal' for Giants, Eagles DC Fangio Says
Updated: 2 days ago
Published Nov 4, 2026, 8:09 AM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi
Key points
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called the Giants' trade for JJ McCarthy "a steal" on Tuesday.
Fangio said a sixth-round pick, but the Giants actually sent Minnesota a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Giants visit the 2-6 Eagles on Sunday, after McCarthy went 20 of 28 for 252 yards in an overtime win at Houston.
JJ McCarthy just got a compliment from the coach who has to stop him on Sunday. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called the Giants' trade for the quarterback a steal, as we shared on X Wednesday.
"The quarterback has come in, in a short period of time, and really done a nice job. For them, to get him for a sixth-round pick is a steal," Fangio said Tuesday, per PennLive.
Fangio misspoke on the price. The Giants sent the Vikings a 2027 fifth-round pick, not a sixth, as Pro Football Talk noted. The point still stands.
What Fangio Said About JJ McCarthy and the Giants
Fangio did not stop at the quarterback. He praised the whole offense, saying the Giants have "good wideouts, good tight ends, two good backs," PennLive reported.
He also credited the staff for "raiding the Ravens" for John Harbaugh, tight end Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard. He described a mix of Baltimore-style runs and Kansas City-style passing under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
That is notable praise from a veteran defensive mind. It is also the kind of thing a coordinator says when he respects the opponent he has to scheme against.
Why the JJ McCarthy Trade Looks Better Every Week
McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in 2024. Minnesota moved him in late September after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, per Pro Football Talk.
In his first start, McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards in a 27-21 overtime win over the Texans, according to PennLive. We covered the decision to start him in Houston at the time.
Fangio is not the first outside voice to rave. Former Giants quarterback David Carr compared him to Brett Favre, and Mike Francesa weighed in as well.
By the Numbers: JJ McCarthy and the Trade
Item | Detail |
Draft slot (2024) | No. 10 overall |
Trade price | 2027 fifth-round pick |
First Giants start | 20 of 28, 252 yards |
Result vs. Texans | 27-21 OT win |
Eagles record | 2-6 |
Sources: PennLive, Pro Football Talk and our X post, as of Nov. 4, 2026.
What Comes Next: Giants at Eagles
The Giants come out of their Week 8 bye and visit Philadelphia on Sunday. Heavy reported that New York opened as a 3.5-point road favorite while leading the NFC East at 4-2-1.
The Eagles have lost six straight, per Pro Football Talk. Fangio's unit will still bring pressure looks McCarthy has not seen in a Giants uniform.
Our Take: Vic Is Right About McCarthy
Vic is right. That was my reaction, and I will stand by it.
Back in September, I asked why fans were so against McCarthy and said at least there's upside. A fifth-round pick for a young quarterback with that ceiling was always worth the gamble.
Since then, he has shown real arm talent. I did not realize how good his arm was until I saw him throw laser missiles.
To be clear, I still think Jaxson Dart is the long-term guy. But for this season, a steal is exactly the right word.
I said in October this is the most winnable NFC East since 2020, and that the Eagles were a mess. Sunday is a chance to prove both points. Go win in Philadelphia.
Correction (Nov. 4, 2026): An earlier version of this article listed the Eagles' record as 2-5. They are 2-6, per PennLive.
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