Before the Giants’ 12-7 victory over the Titans on Sunday, reports circulated that the New York Giants were looking to acquire another quarterback after losing Jaxson Dart (knee) for at least the regular season.
On Monday, they added a quarterback.
The Giants acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
For now, McCarthy, who was selected 10th by the Vikings in the 2024 draft, will be behind veteran Jameis Winston.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh discussed the deal that brought McCarthy to New York.
“Really glad, really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s a strong young quarterback and has some experience in the National Football League. Obviously, was a very high draft pick, very talented player and is going to make us a stronger football team. So, excited about it, think it makes us better and get him in here as soon as we can. “
At Michigan, McCarthy was coached by Harbaugh’s brother Jim, so John Harbaugh was already familiar with McCarthy’s play.
“He [Jim Harbaugh] always had good things to say about J.J. I mean, I kind of watched it,” Harbaugh said. “I was following Michigan when Jim was coaching there. I don’t follow them as much anymore, but when Jim was there, that was a team I watched closely, so I’ve watched J.J. play a lot.”
The 23-year-old McCarthy, Minnesota’s third-string quarterback, missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, and McCarthy started 10 games for the Vikings in 2025. In those 10 games, the Vikings were 6-4. The third-year quarterback threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
At this stage of his career, McCarthy has been a disappointment. When the Vikings drafted McCarthy, they expected him to be the team’s franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for him, that did not happen in Minnesota.
However, if Winston falters, McCarthy would get another chance to change his career trajectory with the Giants.
Next Sunday, the Giants host the Arizona Cardinals.
