John Harbaugh has added a young quarterback in New York — and one with a connection to his family.
The Giants are acquiring J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings for a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tom Pelissero reported. The move follows starter Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury and gives Harbaugh another option alongside Jameis Winston.
McCarthy played for Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, at Michigan, where they won a national championship. That history gives John Harbaugh a familiar source of insight into McCarthy, though the Giants coach has not previously coached the quarterback himself. For Ravens fans who watched Harbaugh lead Baltimore for years, the trade is an early look at how he is handling adversity in his first season with the Giants. New York needed
depth after losing Dart; McCarthy brings first-round pedigree and a chance for a fresh start.
Trade! The Vikings are sending QB J.J. McCarthy to the Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2026
With Jaxson Dart out for the regular season, New York adds another young QB, while Minnesota gains flexibility and McCarthy gets a fresh start. pic.twitter.com/McHb5YcEB0
The trade doesn't answer who will start the Giants’ next game. McCarthy must learn a new offense, and Winston is already in the building. Harbaugh now has a choice to make as he tries to keep New York moving without the quarterback who opened the season as its starter.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh gets new QB in J.J. McCarthy
