J.J. McCarthy isn’t spending much time tracking the Minnesota Vikings’ latest quarterback move.
The New York Giants quarterback said Wednesday that he hadn’t really been following what was happening with his former team, even after the Vikings brought Kirk Cousins back at the Nov. 10 deadline. McCarthy made it clear where his focus sits now.
“To be honest with you, no. I mean, obviously they’re one of the 32 teams out there, but all I’m focused on is Giants and who we’re playing that week,” McCarthy said, per NFL content creator Ari Meirov.
McCarthy was drafted by Minnesota with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft before the Vikings traded him to New York in September. Since then, he’s kept his attention on the Giants and the week-to-week grind that comes with that job.
He did say he had heard about Minnesota’s recent game, and he still has plenty of ties to the organization. That came through when he talked about the people he left behind.
“Those are my former brothers and a lot of relationships that, you know, I still have to this day. And I wish them nothing but the best,” he said.
At first, McCarthy didn’t even know the Vikings had added another quarterback. Once reporters told him Cousins was headed back to Minnesota, he responded with a warm endorsement.
“Kirk Cousins is going back. Yeah, wish him nothing but the best of luck,” McCarthy said.
“And, I know he’s loved in that building. So he’d be a great fit.”
Cousins spent six seasons with the Vikings before leaving for Atlanta in 2024. His return puts him back with head coach Kevin O’Connell and a group of familiar faces.
For McCarthy, though, the bigger issue is the Giants’ schedule. He’s preparing for Thursday’s game against the Washington Commanders at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
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