Add JJ McCarthy is It’s not a decision everyone agrees with.but this week on CBS Sports’ “Set Hut,” Super Bowl champion and former Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and Pro Bowler Kyle Long explained why the trade between New York and the Minnesota Vikings adapts. The move comes after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart lost with a season-ending knee injury this required surgery.
Wilson called the trade “interesting” and said it could be a “great” situation for McCarthy to revive his career. The job belongs to Dart when he returns from injury, but for now, McCarthy is learning under starter Jameis Winston and perhaps taking on a role on the field. Winston and Wilson were teammates on the 2025 Giants.
Long says the team’s understanding and message needs to be clear to McCarthy: Winston is the starter and when “the guy with the diamonds,” aka Dart, returns, he will be the starter.
“I think it will help JJ as well. I’m sure Jameis will give some of those tips and thoughts,” Wilson said.
In college, McCarthy won a title under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
“I like it for coach (John) Harbaugh, too,” Wilson said. “He has a guy he knows is a competitor, a top pick as a backup just in case.”
McCarthy’s rookie season ended before it could begin, suffering a season-ending knee injury before the regular season. In 2025, after Sam Darnold went to the Seattle Seahawks, McCarthy was named the starter in Minnesota. In the second week he suffered another injury, this time a sprained ankle that sidelined him for five games and later in the season a concussion and hand injury caused more missed time.
In 10 games, he went 6-4 with a 57.6% completion rate, 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He did not play in 2026, losing the starting job to Kyler Murray.
And now it’s injuries that bring McCarthy to New York, strengthening a team that lost Dart to season-ending knee surgery.
“Look, they need him, and he needs them, so I think it’s a good situation for him,” Long said.
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