“It Was A Shock”: J.J. McCarthy Makes Feelings Known On Vikings Trading Him To Giants

J.J. McCarthy, a Minnesota Vikings quarterback who made his debut in 10 games over two seasons, was traded to the New York Giants on Monday in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. Upon hearing the news, McCarthy expressed surprise, saying, "When I got the call here, it was a shock. I didn’t anticipate it, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity."

Despite the unanticipated trade, McCarthy emphasized his eagerness to join the Giants and contribute to their success. He said, "It’s an opportunity to take advantage of. And I love these guys already, and I can’t wait to do it for them." Regarding his time with the Vikings, McCarthy chose not to delve into the reasons behind the trade, stating, "It’s all in the past… There’s a multitude of things you could think of [why it didn’t work out], but at the end of the day, it’s all in the past."

He also shared his excitement about playing under coach John Harbaugh, whose brother, Jim Harbaugh, once coached him at the University of Michigan. McCarthy expressed strong admiration for the Harbaugh family and the values they embody. He stated, "Absolutely love the Harbaugh family. They’re made of the right stuff. Faith, family, football.

Just everything [John Harbaugh] 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. You feel it." Although the Giants are likely to select veteran quarterback Jameis Winston as their starter for the upcoming Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals, McCarthy is expected to step in as a backup.