Sports · American Football · 9 hrs ago
Giants VP praises J.J. McCarthy's growth after early maturity concerns
Giants vice president Chris Mara says J.J. McCarthy has matured since the team considered drafting him in 2024.
The New York Giants later traded for McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings on Sept.
28, giving up a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Vikings had drafted McCarthy 10th overall in 2024, but he missed his rookie season with a knee injury and struggled last year.
He completed 57.6% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions before losing his starting role in Minnesota.
With the Giants, McCarthy led an overtime upset of Houston, and Mara says his arm and movement have impressed him.
McCarthy is set to make his second Giants start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Giants senior vice president of player personnel Chris Mara says J.J. McCarthy has matured since the Giants considered drafting him in 2024.
Mara said the Giants valued McCarthy’s physical skills before the draft but had concerns about his maturity.
New York acquired McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in a trade earlier this year.
McCarthy has led the Giants to an overtime win over the Texans and is set to make his second start for the team against the Eagles.
- Who
- Giants senior vice president Chris Mara praised J.J. McCarthy’s development.
- What
- Mara said McCarthy has matured and impressed the Giants with his skills.
- When
- The comments were reported on Nov. 8, 2026.
- Where
- The Giants acquired McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings; he is set to face the Eagles in Philadelphia.
- Why
- Mara said the Giants had initially been unsure about McCarthy’s maturity, but his development has impressed them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Giants debated using the No. 6 pick on McCarthy but selected wide receiver Malik Nabers instead.
The Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th pick in the draft.
McCarthy missed the entire season because of a knee injury.
The Giants acquired McCarthy from the Vikings in a trade, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick.
McCarthy led the Giants to an overtime upset win over the Texans in Houston.
- Giants official
- Chris Mara, senior vice president of player personnel
- 2024 Giants pick
- No. 6 selection was wide receiver Malik Nabers
- 2024 Vikings pick
- No. 10 selection was J.J. McCarthy
- Trade compensation
- 2027 fifth-round pick
- Vikings passing rate
- 57.6% completion rate last year
- Upcoming game
- Giants at Eagles in Philadelphia
2 sources
What people are saying
We had him rated very high from a skill set. ... We weren't quite sure about the maturity level, but we loved his skill set
Seeing him three years later, this is a completely different-looking person for me
I'm in awe when I watch him in practice
He's matured, he's married now, has a kid