JJ McCarthy Admits Being in “Shock” After Vikings’ Decision to Trade Him

Even though the Minnesota Vikings demoted JJ McCarthy to third-choice quarterback, McCarthy pledged to stay and fight for first-team opportunities. Kyler Murray took over as the starter, with Carson Wentz as the backup.

Murray and Wentz took turns under center in the first three games while McCarthy watched from the sidelines. Elsewhere, the New York Giants looked for an additional quarterback to replace the injured Jaxson Dart.

Analysts pitched several names, including McCarthy’s. A couple of days after the Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they accepted a trade proposal from the Giants. The Giants sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to acquire McCarthy.

Hours after the paperwork became official, McCarthy attended the G-Men’s practice session at their New Jersey facility wearing No. 18. On Friday, reporters asked him how he reacted after hearing about his trade. McCarthy said via Jordan Raanan of the New York media:

It was a shock. I didn’t anticipate it. But at the end of the day it’s an opportunity… an opportunity to take advantage of… I love these guys [Giants teammates] already and I can’t wait to do it for them.

J.J. McCarthy said it was a bit of a "shock" that he was traded. But at the end of the day, "it's an opportunity" to show what he can do with the Giants.

He's looking into the present. Putting the Vikings in the past.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 2, 2026

According to head coach John Harbaugh, McCarthy spent the week on the scout team to learn Matt Nagy’s offense. It shouldn’t be too hard for him to pick up the playbook, as the Giants offense is quite similar to what he ran at Michigan.

That Michigan connection helped Harbaugh get his man. During the final years of McCarthy’s college career with the Wolverines, he was coached by Harbaugh’s younger brother, Jim Harbaugh, who now manages the LA Chargers.

J.J. McCarthy spent most of his time this week learning the offense. Coach John Harbaugh said the Giants are still trying to figure whether he will be the second or third-string quarterback.

Jameis Winston is the starter and took the first-team reps. pic.twitter.com/pQcMYxhWly

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 2, 2026

According to Raanan, the Giants are still trying to figure out McCarthy’s position on the depth chart. With Dart on IR, veteran Jameis Winston is deputizing for the NFC East franchise. Jake Haener was elevated from the practice squad to backup.

Winston came on in Week 2 after Dart went off injured. He completed fewer than half of his 27 passes and threw an interception. The Giants lost by double digits.

Last week, the Giants hosted the Tennessee Titans. Winston didn’t throw a touchdown, completed less than 60% of his passes, took 3 sacks, and got a helping hand from Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward to secure a low-scoring 12-7 win. Winston said in response to the criticism regarding his performances:

I know what I’m capable of, but also I know what’s required of me. I can make all the throws. I can do anything I put my mind to. I’m blessed to that point. But at the same time, my job is to give the team the best chance to win.

But his performance had analysts urging the Giants to sign a new player. And they settled on McCarthy.

Giants icon gives his verdict on JJ McCarthy

McCarthy had to wait until his second year to start for the Vikings. He went 6-4 as QB1. Despite the winning record, he couldn’t impress either football enthusiasts or the Vikings coaching staff.

Ahead of the 2026 campaign, Kevin O’Connell jumped at the chance to bring former first-overall pick Kyler Murray to Minnesota after he entered free agency. Carson Wentz extended his contract. McCarthy became the odd man out.

McCarthy received a glimmer of hope after Murray suffered a concussion on opening day. However, O’Connell picked Wentz as Murray’s replacement instead of McCarthy. It clearly indicated that his time with the NFC North franchise would soon end.

Then the trade happened. Giants icon and two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning gave his verdict on McCarthy on Colin Cowherd’s podcast:

The kid’s 20-something, 21-22 years old [23], and it’s a lot thrown at you. So, I think a fresh start, I don’t know the game plan, but I don’t think he’s expected to come in and ‘Hey, you’re going to start playing right away.’ You got Jameis Winston, give him time. Learn the system. Be around. Relax a little bit. And who knows? It’s kind of a restart. I think there’s a chance he can make this a turnaround opportunity.

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Up next, the Giants take on the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. Winston will start at quarterback.

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