New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy said it's been a "whirlwind" since the Minnesota Vikings traded him earlier this week, but he's excited for a fresh start, according to The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll and Dan Duggan.
"I didn't anticipate it," McCarthy said Friday. "But at the end of the day, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to take advantage of."
He added, "Full experience of the nature of the beast which is the NFL. But I'm extremely blessed. I'm extremely grateful for all the time in Minnesota. So many great relationships, so many learning lessons and growth. And I'm just so fired up to be a New York Football Giant."
Minnesota received a fifth-round pick from the Giants for McCarthy on Monday. The Vikings selected the Michigan product in the first round of the 2024 draft after he led the Wolverines to a national championship.
The 23-year-old missed his entire rookie season following August meniscus surgery. He took over the No. 1 job the following season when Sam Darnold departed for the Seattle Seahawks, but his tenure as the Vikings' starter didn't go as planned.
McCarthy started 10 games in 2025, going 6-4 while throwing for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Among 36 qualifying quarterbacks last season, he ranked 35th in passer rating (72.6) and completion percentage (57.6%), according to TruMedia. He missed seven starts due to various injuries.
McCarthy began the year as Minnesota's third-string quarterback behind starter Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, signaling that his time in Minnesota could be approaching an end.
After Giants starter Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury, they added McCarthy to their quarterback room. The passer will serve as Jameis Winston's backup beginning in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.
"He can throw it. He can run it. He can make plays," head coach John Harbaugh said of McCarthy. "There are a lot of things he could do better from what he did (in Minnesota), obviously, and we're going to see where it goes from here.
"I mean, that's really what it boils down to. But just from a talent standpoint, I don't think anybody would deny that J.J. McCarthy is a very talented young quarterback."
Winston started the Giants' 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, completing 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards.
