The Los Angeles Chargers and head coach Jim Harbaugh have their own problems to worry about as they've started the season 0-3, but when family calls, you answer. The New York Giants traded for JJ McCarthy at the top of the week, and head coach John Harbaugh wanted to know his brother's thoughts on the trade. Jim coached McCarthy when they were at Michigan, and they won a national championship together in 2024.
“John [Harbaugh] called me and asked me. I said, ‘John, I love you. I love JJ,” Jim said.
There's no surprise that Jim had good things to say about McCarthy, and he wasn't going to give his brother the runaround. It probably makes it better that they don't play in the same conference or division, so it didn't feel like he was giving his opposition any tips.
It was time for McCarthy to find a new home after his first few seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Injuries hurt his chances of finding consistency last season, and he was beat out for the starting quarterback job by Kyler Murray this season. Even when Murray went down, Carson Wentz was the backup quarterback.
That should've signaled that the Vikings were unsure about McCarthy and his future with the team.
Now, McCarthy has a chance to find life with the Giants this season, but he may not even play there if Jameis Winston plays well. If not, McCarthy may be next in line, but it'll only be for this season, as Jaxson Dart will return from his injury next year.
The move was a high-upside move for the Giants, and they didn't lose much trading for him.