Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are the stories you need to know the day after the Giants acquire QB J.J. McCarthy and lose Brian Burns for the year.
NFL trade deadline grades: J.J. McCarthy to the Giants | ESPN.com
Giants grade: C. But the Giants’ front office should look in the mirror over its bungling of the Winston situation. It’s not unreasonable for the Giants to be aggressive in finding a better replacement given how much time is left in the season. But they clearly shouldn’t have signed Winston to an extension right before the season if this is how they feel
about him!
Even though Murray is a free agent at the end of this season, McCarthy’s ship had already sailed in Minnesota after he couldn’t beat out Wentz. If he wasn’t going to be the Vikings’ backup quarterback, his value would likely have continued to drop. To get a fifth-round pick while saving a few million across his remaining 2026 and 2027 compensation (not nothing!) makes sense. They have uncertainty at quarterback in 2027, yes. But that was true whether McCarthy was there or not.
McCarthy throws against Dallas, Washington
Giants made the one QB trade that offered hope, even if it doesn’t guarantee anything | Yahoo Sports!
Yet it at least has a chance to work, which is likely better than you can say about the other options the Giants had. Most of them were short-term rentals. Most of them were older and more experienced, but there was a reason they were either unemployed or available by trade.
That’s a reminder of where McCarthy was prior to the trade: the third QB option on a team that ranks last in the NFL in total yards, pass yards and first downs. It should also serve as a warning for any Giants fans counting on this saving their season.
Giants to waive QB Jake Haener, intend to re-sign him to practice squad | Pro Football Talk
With the Giants trading for J.J. McCarthy, the club will make another roster move to keep just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, New York will waive Jake Haener but intend to re-sign him to the team’s practice squad. Haener was promoted to the active roster on Saturday after Jaxson Dart suffered a long-term knee injury last Monday night. Haener, 27, joined the Giants in August after spending some time with the Chiefs during the offseason program.
QB Report Cards for 2026 NFL Week 3 | Bleacher Report
Grade: D. Jameis Winston didn’t do enough for the New York Giants to beat the Tennessee Titans. That’s OK. He didn’t to. The Giants benefited from a ground-and-pound approach, a strong defensive effort and multiple Titans mistakes. Tennessee didn’t pieced together a drive longer than three plays until the team’s seventh offensive possession. Winston simply needed to avoid a significant mistake, which he did.
Will the Giants trick themselves in the wake of Jaxson Dart’s injury? | The Athletic
The concerns following the Giants entering the season — the availability of Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, plus the maturity of Dart/Skattebo — were mostly realized in less than two games.
But the key questions that followed the Giants into this season will follow them into 2027 as well. They should not assume those questions will be answered to their liking. The evidence so far suggests some of the team’s biggest bets carry even greater risk.
Harbaugh on losing Dart, Burns
Giants in survival mode after losing the irreplaceable Brian Burns for the season | SNY.tv
If New York’s quarterback was the team’s most important offensive player, Burns held that role for the defense. He is a monster on the field, evident by his 16.5 sacks a season ago. He’s an elite edge rusher and solid against the run, but more than anything, the heart-and-soul and emotional leader of that side of the ball.
So many players treat this as a job – justifiably so. Burns took everything that happened on the field to heart. When the Giants blew a late lead to the Broncos last season, it was Burns who sat in his locker stall after the game, in full game uniform, crying. Teammates gravitate toward that level of emotion, care. It’s why they elected him captain the last two years.
Jason Pierre-Paul pitches Giants reunion after crushing Brian Burns injury | New York Post
The 37-year-old — who played three games for the Buccaneers last season after being away being away from football for nearly two years — tagged the Giants in a post on X that said, “@Giants what’s up.” Pierre-Paul signed with the Bucs’ practice squad in December 2025, and was activated for three games late in the season.
Rookie was a force on Sunday
Giants’ Arvell Reese on Week 3 performance: I had a ‘chip on my shoulder’ | USAToday.com
New York Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese responded to a disappointing performance last week with a game-high 13 tackles on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
“After a loss, you always want to self-reflect and see what you could be doing better,” Reese said. “So I just self-reflected on that and came out this weekend with a chip on my shoulder. And that’s really how I approach every game, but after a loss, you’re always chasing wins.”
From Big Blue View
- Brian Burns injury: John Harbaugh confirms torn ACL, surgery
- J.J. McCarthy trade: Giants acquire quarterback from Minnesota Vikings
- John Harbaugh won’t speculate on a Jameis Winston-J.J. McCarthy competition
- J.J. McCarthy trade: Big Blue View staff reacts to Giants’ deal for QB
- ‘Things I think’: The Giants won, but to keep doing that they must get better
- Giants-Titans ‘Kudos and Wet Willies’: Jevon Holland the hero as New York survives
- Giants rookie report: Arvell Reese, Sisi Mauigoa shine against the Titans
- Giants-Titans: 5 plays that led to the Giants’ Week 3 victory
- NY Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals odds: Opening lines for Week 4 matchup
This week’s opponent
- Leaning On Jeremiyah Love, And 49ers Aftermath | ArizonaCardinals.com
- Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love earns bigger role in offense | ESPN.com
- Beaks & Geeks: Cardinals, 49ers Winners & Losers: Arizona loses a heartbreaker | Revenge of the Birds
- Where is Marvin Harrison Jr.? In crucial year, Cardinals WR a nonfactor so far | The Athletic
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