The Minnesota Vikings bid farewell to J.J. McCarthy last week after he started only 10 games in just over two years. After losing the starting job to Kyler Murray in training camp and being passed over by Carson Wentz on the depth chart, it appeared that McCarthy had fallen out of favor with the team that had drafted him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Still, McCarthy said that the trade that sent him to the New York Giants on September 28 came as a surprise to him.
"I didn't anticipate it. But at the end of the day, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to take advantage of," McCarthy said last week, per Charlotte Carrol of The Athletic.
"I'm extremely blessed," McCarthy continued. "You know, I'm extremely grateful for all the time in Minnesota.
You know, so many great relationships, so many learning lessons and growth. I'm just so fired up to be a New York football Giant."
Right now, Jameis Winston is the Giants' starting quarterback. As McCarthy gets acclimated to the offense, he may begin to push for playing time if Winston struggles. But right now, McCarthy is taking advantage of a fresh opportunity.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: J.J. McCarthy opens up about being traded away from the Vikings
