What led Giants to their J.J. McCarthy decision: Felt very strongly

Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. The Giants trading for J.J.McCarthy applies here.  Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.

In need of a backup quarterback, the Giants on Monday sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Vikings for McCarthy, who had been a colossal bust during his two-plus years in Minnesota.McCarthy joins a quarterback room devoid of Jaxson Dart — out for the season following knee surgery — and he will learn the playbook as Jameis Winston continues to start. “Really glad, really happy, very excited to add J.J.

McCarthy,” head coach John Harbaugh said.“I think he’s a strong young quarterback … very talented player and he’s gonna make us a stronger football team.

I think it makes us better.” Once Dart went down and out, the Giants knew they needed a better option behind Winston than Jake Haener, a 27-year-old with one NFL start.McCarthy has talent, but the Vikings being willing to give up on him so quickly after making him the No.

10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft indicates how swiftly he fell out of favor with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who is known for his ability to work with and improve quarterbacks. “He’s a talented guy,” Harbaugh said.“There’s just no doubt about it, he’s talented.

He was a top 10 pick for a reason.I know he didn’t hold on to that job in Minnesota and that’s why he’s available.” Haener was waived and will re-sign to the practice squad.

The team will determine later in the week whether McCarthy or Haener serves as the backup to Winston for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. There is no change at starting quarterback. “Jameis will be the starter for as long as I can see into the future but I don’t know,” Harbaugh said.“Nobody knows. “I know that I have complete confidence that Jameis is going to play a great football game on Sunday and our guys are going to play g...