J.J. McCarthy, Jameis Winston, Giants QB Depth Chart Discussed by John Harbaugh After Vikings Trade

The New York Giants offered some insight into the quarterback depth chart on Monday after trading a 2027 fifth-round pick for JJ McCarthy.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Jameis Winston would remain the starter "for as long as I can see into the future" and McCarthy will be a backup in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Nonetheless, the Giants made the decision to not only trade draft capital for a quarterback, but for a younger player—McCarthy is 23—who was a former first-round pick and former starter for the Minnesota Vikings. If they only wanted a reliable backup, they could have signed a veteran free agent.

Trading for McCarthy feels like a developmental move, whether that's to eventually start him later in the year, try to trade him down the line (he's under contract through the 2027 season, with a team option in 2028) or both. McCarthy thriving in a late-season role could increase his trade potential significantly.

Either way, if Winston struggles, there will be plenty of conversations in New York about whether McCarthy should get his shot at the starting gig.