The New York Giants made a big swing for a quarterback on Monday by trading for Minnesota Vikings reserve J.J. McCarthy.
The former first-round quarterback will get a fresh start in the Big Apple with John Harbaugh, whose brother, Jim Harbaugh, coached McCarthy at Michigan.
Does this mean that McCarthy will take over for Jameis Winston as the team's starting quarterback? Not right now, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Schultz reported that "McCarthy is viewed as a move to bolster the backup position behind [Winston], not to supplant him."
So, unless Winston struggles mightily, don't expect to see McCarthy on the field for New York right now, if at all.
The #Giants’ addition of JJ McCarthy is viewed as a move to bolster the backup position
behind Jameis Winston, not to supplant him. New York did not feel confident in its options behind Winston and could not afford to go another 15 games without upgrading at QB2. https://t.co/wdXN0QLiSq
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 28, 2026
We're sorry if Giants fans got too excited for this move. It sounds like McCarthy is just your new backup quarterback.
Who won the deal?
Check out our trade grades!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Will J.J. McCarthy start for the Giants at quarterback after big trade?
