Why JJ McCarthy-John Harbaugh collaboration is short-term win for both Giants and former Vikings QB

Why JJ McCarthy-John Harbaugh collaboration is short-term win for both Giants and former Vikings QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The New York Giants acquired JJ McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 fifth-round pick – a trade that pairs the former Michigan quarterback with John Harbaugh.

>As far as Minnesota goes, this story is over. McCarthy, who was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is a first-round bust with little return value. But McCarthy isn't with the Vikings anymore.

>What's the other side? The move to New York gives the third-year quarterback a much-needed lifeline for a potential playoff contender. This could and should be a win-win situation for Harbaugh, McCarthy and the New York Giants if McCarthy can take over the starting job.

>MORE: J.J. McCarthy trade to Giants is latest example of Harbaugh brothers' NFL overlap

Why JJ McCarthy failed in MinnesotaMcCarthy never truly got started with the Vikings. He missed his entire rookie season after two surgeries on a torn right meniscus. He played in 10 games in his second season while dealing with an ankle injury, a concussion and a hand injury.

>McCarthy was 6-4 as a starter. He had 1,632 passing yards with 11 TDs and 12 interceptions – and that came with 27 sacks and a 57.6% completion percentage. McCarthy's rookie season was essentially Year 2 – and it wasn't enough. Combine that with the "Nine" meme, and there was every reason to pile on after two seasons.

>When the Vikings signed Kyler Murray in the offseason, McCarthy's time was short. When Carson Wentz won the backup job, McCarthy's time was up. The Vikings have their quarterback plan.

MORE: Full details of the J.J. McCarthy trade

Will John Harbaugh, JJ McCarthy work out in 2026?  New York's QB plan was altered in Week 2 when Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury on Monday Night Football against the Rams, and backup Jameis Winston has played in two games since. The Giants won 12-7 in Week 3, but Winston was 14 of 22 for 118 yards.

>Winston has a 51% completion percentage – and is clearly limited throwing the ball down the field. The veteran quarterback finished 6 of 14 for 120 yards on passes of 10 yards or more, according to PFF.com, including 1 of 5 on passes of 20 yards or more. After Sunday's win, Winston said, "For Jaxson, 12 points. Six times two. It's for you. That's 12."

Jameis Winston is the GREATEST:

“Winning this game for Jaxson. 12 points. 6 x 2, it’s for you.” 🤣🐐

(📽️ @NFLonFOX) pic.twitter.com/4qtDoHdHz0

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 27, 2026Honestly, that might be better than the "Nine" meme. It's pretty clear that John Harbaugh isn't going to start Winston for much longer. Winston is a great locker-room leader and an endless source of entertainment on social media, but he's not a full-season starter for a playoff team at this stage in his career.

>The Harbaugh tie-in with McCarthy could work. McCarthy had a 27-1 record as a starter for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan – and the quarterback led the Wolverines to a College Football Playoff championship in 2023. Jim Harbaugh openly said McCarthy was the "greatest quarterback in University of Michigan, college football history." The distinction, of course, being that Tom Brady is the most-successful NFL quarterback to come from Michigan.

>John Harbaugh could use a Jim Harbaugh-like quarterback in New York for the rest of the season, and that's where McCarthy fits in with the Giants.

MORE: NFL Week 4 power rankings

Why JJ McCarthy could work for Giants in 2026 Look at McCarthy's last four starts last season. The Vikings went 4-0 against the Commanders, Cowboys, Giants and Packers, and McCarthy averaged 175.8 passing yards per game with a 64.3% completion percentage, five TDs and two interceptions. That sample size is better than Winston and a reason why McCarthy might get a chance to start in 2026, sooner rather than later.

>In those four games, McCarthy was 16 of 28 for 346 yards, one TD and no interceptions on throws of 10 yards or more, according to PFF.com. It's not exactly unbelievable numbers, but there aren't a lot of mistakes or off-the-wall throws. If McCarthy can show development in that range, then the Giants will have some success.

>McCarthy could be the game-manager type that thrived at Michigan with Jim and could lead the offense in New York with John and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Granted, this is a best-case scenario, but New York will want to lean on the running game with second-year running back Cam Skattebo. McCarthy also can work with Malik Nabers, who has 12 catches for 96 yards through three games, down the field more, even if it's just the intermediate range.

>The defense has allowed just 18.3 points per game, so there is support. The Giants play the Cardinals in Week 4 before the schedule ramps up against the Commanders, Saints and Texans. We will not be surprised if McCarthy is the starter during that stretch.

>It's worth trying at a fifth-round price, and it allows McCarthy a one-year audition of sorts. He's under contract through 2027, but he could be a trade candidate if he performs well for Harbaugh, who has a decent track record with backup quarterbacks such as Tyrod Taylor and Tyler Huntley.

>This is the opportunity for McCarthy to shed the label of first-round bust and put his career back on track with a young-and-exciting team with a coach he can trust. If McCarthy can't do the job here, then it's fair to wonder if he ever will. The best part?

>He'll get to do it with a new jersey number, too.