The New York Giants offered a first look at their new quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, in team uniform during practice on Wednesday. McCarthy was seen in a red No. 18 jersey, paired with the Giants' legacy helmet, which the team will wear during Sunday's game against the Cardinals to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Super Bowl championship squad.
McCarthy, who previously wore No. 9 for the Minnesota Vikings, has changed his number to accommodate tight end Isaiah Likely, who wears No. 9 for the Giants. No. 18 was among the few available double-digit numbers that were not retired or already claimed.
The Giants acquired McCarthy in a trade for a 2027 fifth-round pick on Monday. The move came after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Giants’ Sept. 21 loss to the Rams. Head coach John Harbaugh had stated that "all options are open" regarding the team's quarterback strategy for the remainder of the season following Dart's injury.
Jameis Winston started the Giants' Week 3 victory over the Titans. Postgame on Sunday, Harbaugh confirmed that Winston would also start Week 4 against the Cardinals. The opportunity for McCarthy to see game action may depend on Winston's performance.
McCarthy was selected 10th overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft after a successful college career at Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2023 under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, brother of Giants coach John Harbaugh. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. He started 10 games in 2025, but lost the Vikings' starting job to Kyler Murray in the current season.
