J.J. McCarthy Stats, Wikipedia, Age, Contract and Career

J.J. McCarthy is an American football quarterback whose career changed teams in September 2026 when the Minnesota Vikings agreed to trade him to the New York Giants for a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. The transaction was announced September 28 and remained pending McCarthy passing a physical as of the latest team announcements.

McCarthy entered the NFL as one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class after leading Michigan to an undefeated season and a national championship. The Vikings selected him No. 10 overall after trading up in the first round to acquire the pick.

His NFL career has included a lost rookie season because of injury, 10 starts in 2025 and a change in Minnesota’s quarterback plans during 2026. This article covers J.J. McCarthy’s age, college career, NFL statistics, contract, draft history and latest team situation.

Latest Update: September 29, 2026

As of September 29, 2026, McCarthy is in the process of moving from the Minnesota Vikings to the New York Giants. The Giants announced that they acquired him in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft choice, with the trade pending his physical examination.

The move came after Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury. New York had been using veteran Jameis Winston after Dart’s injury, and head coach John Harbaugh said the organization had been looking to add another quarterback. Harbaugh described McCarthy as a young quarterback with NFL experience and said the Giants were excited to add him.

McCarthy had not appeared in a regular-season game for Minnesota during the first three weeks of the 2026 season. NFL statistics show no passing or rushing statistics for him in the Vikings’ Week 1, Week 2 or Week 3 games.

Who Is J.J. McCarthy?

J.J. McCarthy is a professional quarterback who played college football for the University of Michigan before entering the NFL in 2024. His full name is James Joseph McCarthy, and he was born in La Grange Park, Illinois.

The NFL lists McCarthy at 6 feet 3 inches and 219 pounds. He is 23 years old and entered the 2026 season with three years of NFL experience listed on his player profile.

McCarthy became nationally known during his time at Michigan, where he eventually took over as the team’s starting quarterback and helped the Wolverines win the College Football Playoff national championship following the 2023 season.

J.J. McCarthy Age and Birth Details

J.J. McCarthy is 23 years old as of September 2026. NFL’s current player profile lists his age as 23 and his hometown as La Grange Park, Illinois.

He developed as a quarterback in Illinois before joining Michigan, where his career moved from a developmental role to the starting position and eventually to a national championship-winning season.

J.J. McCarthy College Career at Michigan

McCarthy played three seasons at Michigan from 2021 through 2023. According to Sports-Reference, he appeared in 40 games and completed 482 of 713 passing attempts for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 632 yards and 10 touchdowns.

His statistics improved significantly as he gained experience. In 2021, he completed 34 of 59 passes for 516 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, he became Michigan’s primary quarterback and passed for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing only five interceptions.

McCarthy’s final college season was his strongest statistically. In 2023, he completed 240 of 332 passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. He finished that season with a 72.3% completion rate and a 167.4 passer rating under the college system used by Sports-Reference.

2023 Michigan National Championship Season

Michigan finished the 2023 regular season undefeated, and McCarthy played a central role in the team’s championship run. The Wolverines defeated Ohio State, won the Big Ten Championship Game and advanced to the College Football Playoff.

In the Rose Bowl semifinal against Alabama, McCarthy completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns as Michigan won 27–20 in overtime. He also rushed three times for 25 yards.

Michigan then defeated Washington 34–13 in the national championship game. McCarthy completed 10 of 18 passes for 140 yards and finished his college career with the Wolverines as a national champion.

J.J. McCarthy NFL Draft History

The Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the sixth quarterback selected in that year’s draft. The Vikings had moved up to the No. 10 selection to make the pick.

His rookie season did not go as planned. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus during the preseason, ending his 2024 season before he could make his regular-season debut. The injury meant his first NFL regular-season appearance would not come until the following year.

J.J. McCarthy NFL Stats

McCarthy’s first NFL regular season came in 2025. He started 10 games for Minnesota and completed 140 of 243 passes, a 57.6% completion rate. He threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while being sacked 27 times for 149 yards. His NFL passer rating was 72.6.

As a runner, McCarthy carried the ball 37 times for 181 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. He scored four rushing touchdowns. NFL statistics also record six fumbles, with two lost during the season.

The Vikings went 6–4 in games McCarthy started during 2025, according to the team. His season was also affected by injuries, including an ankle issue, a hand injury and a concussion.

J.J. McCarthy 2026 Stats

McCarthy did not record regular-season statistics for Minnesota during the first three games of 2026. Kyler Murray was named the Vikings’ starting quarterback during training camp, while Carson Wentz moved into the backup role. McCarthy was listed on the initial 53-man roster but was not the starter.

He did play during Minnesota’s preseason. Against the New York Giants on August 15, McCarthy completed four of seven passes for 34 yards. Against Baltimore on August 22, he completed five of 10 passes for 81 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He did not record passing statistics in the August 28 preseason game against Denver.

J.J. McCarthy Contract

McCarthy entered the NFL under the rookie contract structure that applies to first-round draft selections. Over The Cap lists his four-year Vikings contract at $21,854,796, with the full amount guaranteed. The reported average annual value is approximately $5.46 million.

His contract included a large signing payment in 2024. Over The Cap lists his 2024 cash payout at $13,509,396, with subsequent scheduled cash amounts in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The database lists his 2026 salary-cap charge at $5,960,399.

Because McCarthy was traded while still under his rookie agreement, the contract information is relevant to his move to New York. The trade announcement, however, was still subject to his physical, so final roster and contract administration should be checked against the Giants’ official transaction record as the deal is completed.

Why the Vikings Traded J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota’s decision followed a quarterback competition during the 2026 offseason. Head coach Kevin O’Connell named Kyler Murray the starter on August 11 after Murray and McCarthy competed for the position.

The Vikings then carried four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster: Murray, McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. Brosmer was subsequently waived, while Murray opened the regular season as the starter and Wentz served as the veteran alternative.

With McCarthy not playing during the opening three games, Minnesota ultimately agreed to send him to New York after the Giants lost Dart for the season. The Vikings received a 2027 fifth-round pick in return.

J.J. McCarthy With the New York Giants

The Giants’ acquisition gives McCarthy a new organization and a different offensive system. New York’s immediate quarterback situation was changed by Dart’s season-ending knee injury, leaving Winston as the starter when the trade was announced.

McCarthy will have to learn the Giants’ offense while joining the team during the regular season rather than during the normal offseason installation period. Head coach John Harbaugh said the organization was excited to bring him in and intended to get him into the building as quickly as possible.

The Giants were 2–1 after three games when the trade was announced. NFL’s team page lists New York’s next game as a Week 4 home matchup against Arizona on October 4, 2026.

J.J. McCarthy Career Statistics

These NFL figures reflect his regular-season production through the end of the 2025 season because he did not play in Minnesota’s first three regular-season games of 2026. His Michigan figures cover his three college seasons.

J.J. McCarthy Height and Physical Profile

The NFL lists McCarthy at 6 feet 3 inches and 219 pounds. His player profile also lists 31 3/4-inch arms and 9-inch hands. He wears No. 9.

His size and mobility were part of his profile coming out of Michigan. During his college career, he rushed for 632 yards and 10 touchdowns, showing that his game was not limited to passing production.

J.J. McCarthy Career Timeline

2021: McCarthy began his Michigan career and appeared in 11 games, passing for 516 yards and five touchdowns.

2022: He became Michigan’s primary quarterback and produced 2,719 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions.

2023: He led Michigan to an undefeated national championship season and finished with 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions.

2024: Minnesota selected him No. 10 overall, but a torn meniscus during the preseason ended his rookie season.

2025: He started 10 NFL games and recorded 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

2026: He lost Minnesota’s starting competition to Kyler Murray, did not appear in the Vikings’ first three regular-season games and was traded to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick, pending a physical.

Reader Questions

How old is J.J. McCarthy?

J.J. McCarthy is 23 years old as of September 2026. The NFL lists his hometown as La Grange Park, Illinois.

What are J.J. McCarthy’s NFL stats?

Through his first NFL season, McCarthy had completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had 181 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

What is J.J. McCarthy’s passer rating?

McCarthy’s NFL passer rating through his 10 starts in 2025 was 72.6. His completion percentage was 57.6%.

What is J.J. McCarthy’s contract?

Over The Cap lists his four-year rookie contract at $21,854,796, with the full amount guaranteed. Its listed average annual value is approximately $5.46 million.

What team does J.J. McCarthy play for in 2026?

On September 28, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings announced a trade sending McCarthy to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The transaction remained pending his physical at the time of the announcement.

Why was J.J. McCarthy traded?

Minnesota had named Kyler Murray its starting quarterback for 2026, while McCarthy had not played during the Vikings’ first three regular-season games. The Giants then pursued him after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Where did J.J. McCarthy go to college?

McCarthy played college football at the University of Michigan from 2021 through 2023. He helped Michigan win the national championship following the 2023 season.

When was J.J. McCarthy drafted?

The Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy 10th overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Minnesota had traded up to make the selection.

Wrap-Up

J.J. McCarthy’s football career has moved quickly from Michigan’s national championship stage to the NFL and now to a second professional organization. At Michigan, he finished with 6,226 passing yards, 49 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions over three seasons and ended his college career as part of an undefeated national championship team.

His professional career has been more limited so far. He missed his rookie season after a preseason knee injury, then started 10 games for Minnesota in 2025. Those starts produced 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, along with four rushing touchdowns.

The latest chapter began September 28, 2026, when Minnesota agreed to trade him to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The deal was announced as pending a physical, making the Giants his next listed destination while the transaction is finalized.

At 23, McCarthy remains relatively early in his NFL career. His next regular-season opportunity will depend on how quickly he adapts to New York’s offense and how the Giants manage their quarterback room following Dart’s injury.