Four days after the New York Giants acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback J.J. McCarthy called the trade a shock he never saw coming, and the week that followed a whirlwind. He also called himself blessed, and he made clear the only thing that matters now is the next rep.
"When I got the call here, it was a shock. I didn't anticipate it," McCarthy said Friday, speaking publicly for the first time since Monday's deal, which sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota. "But at the end of the day, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to take advantage of."
The 23-year-old, selected 10th overall by the Vikings in 2024, did not rehash how his time in Minnesota ended. He thanked the organization and closed the book.
"I'm extremely blessed.
I'm extremely grateful for all the time in Minnesota. So many great relationships, so many learning lessons and growth," McCarthy said. "It's been a whirlwind, the full experience of the nature of the beast, which is the NFL. There's a multitude of things you can think of, but at the end of the day, it's all in the past. All I care about is what's important now — that next rep, that next meeting, that next game."
What he found in East Rutherford, he said, already feels like home. The excitement on the other end of the call cut through the uncertainty.
"I'm just so fired up to be a New York Football Giant. I love the guys here already, love the coaches and everyone in this facility. It's just really easy to fall in love with a place like this," he said.
That regard extends directly to the coaching staff. John Harbaugh consulted his brother Jim, who coached McCarthy to a national title at Michigan in 2023, before the Giants made the trade. McCarthy did not need convincing.
"Absolutely love the Harbaugh family. They're made of the right stuff: Faith, family, football," he said. "Just everything he did in Baltimore, it was super inspiring just to see him take a team and have that success for such a long period of time. And being in this building, you feel it. He's made of the right stuff. He says the right things. He guides his players in the right direction. And yeah, I'm really excited to play for him."
No debut has been set. Jameis Winston remains the starter after Jaxson Dart's season-ending injury, and the staff is still sorting out how McCarthy fits as he compresses the install. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has called the early work impressive while noting the volume is heavy, and teammates Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers have said he already looks comfortable throwing in team settings.
McCarthy said he is attacking the offense day by day and picking it up quickly, with his attention on the game plan in front of him rather than a depth chart.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: J.J. McCarthy feels 'blessed' after Giants trade, loves the Harbaughs
