McCarthy is serving as the Giants No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Jake Haener backed up Jameis Winston last week versus the Cardinals, but he's inactive as New York's third quarterback for Sunday's contest. The No. 2 job is now officially McCarthy's after having a couple weeks to familiarize himself with a new playbook after being acquired from the Vikings in late September. Winston remains the starter for now, but McCarthy seems likely to get a look at some point this year for the Giants.
The Giants acquired McCarthy from the Vikings on Monday in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy had fallen out of favor in Minnesota and had dropped behind both Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz on the depth chart. The 23-year-old will get a fresh opportunity in New York, where he should at least settle in as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jameis Winston while Jaxson Dart (knee) is likely out for the season. Though Winston led the Giants to a 12-7 win over the Titans in his first start this past Sunday, he's completed just 25 of 49 pass attempts for 229 yards (4.7 YPA) while playing nearly two full games. Another underwhelming performance or two from Winston could compel the Giants to give McCarthy a look in the starting role once he has time to get up to speed with the new playbook.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
McCarthy (ankle) remains on the 53-man roster for the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
There was talk leading up to cut-down day that McCarthy could be traded or even released, but he will remain with Minnesota for the time being. Kyler Murray will open the season as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, and either McCarthy or Carson Wentz will back him up.
The QBs priced immediately above and below him.