J.J. McCarthy is getting a reset, and the New York Giants are betting that a change of scenery can help unlock the quarterback they thought they were getting.
According to Jordan Schultz of the Bleacher Report, the former Michigan star was traded Monday from the Minnesota Vikings to the Giants. McCarthy, who guided Michigan football to the national championship in 2023, was taken 10th overall by Minnesota in the 2024 NFL draft and was expected to be the Vikings’ long-term answer at quarterback.
That plan never really got off the ground.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season after suffering a season-ending preseason injury in 2024, a setback that wiped out valuable development time before he even had a chance to settle in. Minnesota moved on from Sam Darnold after he led the Vikings to the NFC North title in 2024, and McCarthy was handed the job in 2025. The results were uneven.
He went 6-4 in 10 starts, including a Week 1 comeback win over the Bears in which he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for three touchdowns. But the season was also marked by injury, a shaky offensive line and stretches where nothing seemed to click.
McCarthy completed 57.4 percent of his passes and finished 2025 with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and four rushing touchdowns. He also had one game-winning drive and one fourth-quarter comeback.
For the Giants, the move fits.
Jaxson Dart is out for the season, but New York still has a roster that has been viewed by some as playoff-capable. The Giants are 2-1, and Jameis Winston is the current starter. Head coach John Harbaugh also brings a built-in connection to McCarthy through his brother, who coached McCarthy at Michigan, so there’s familiarity there as well.
It’s a low-risk swing for New York, and a possible career lifeline for McCarthy. He’s healthy now, and if the Giants give him a shot, there’s at least a path for him to get his career back on track.
Quarterbacks usually improve with more reps. McCarthy is hoping this is the spot where that starts to show.
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For the Gophers, that makes the matchup feel less about reputation and more about execution on a field where Michigans defense still brings enough strength to keep things uncomfortable. McManns read was that this could stay close throughout, which only adds to the intrigue for Minnesota as it tries to turn a shaky opponent into a missed opportunity for the Wolverines. [Read more 🡒]