What happened: John Harbaugh called his brother before completing the deal for McCarthy. The Giants added McCarthy from Minnesota for a 2027 fifth-round pick with Jaxson Dart out for the season.
Why it matters: McCarthy is set to back up Jameis Winston in New York. The pre-trade call gave John Harbaugh a direct reference on McCarthy before finalizing the move.
By the numbers: Minnesota drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan, as of Sept. 29, 2026. Per ESPN, he completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games in 2025 with the Vikings, as of Sept. 29, 2026.
What to watch: Watch how quickly the Giants integrate McCarthy behind Winston. Practice participation will show whether he is available immediately.