How Jim Harbaugh Influenced Giants' Trade for J.J. McCarthy Revealed by Chargers HC

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed that he had a conversation with his brother, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh, about quarterback J.J. McCarthy before the Giants traded for him.

"John called me and asked me," Jim told reporters Wednesday. "I said, 'John I love you, I love JJ.'"

Following Jaxson Dart's season-ending knee injury, New York acquired McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick on Monday.

Jim is familiar with McCarthy, previously coaching him for three seasons during his college days at Michigan from 2021-23

The Wolverines posted a 40-3 record during McCarthy's three seasons as a starter, which includes a 2023 campaign in which they finished at 15-0 and captured a national championship.

That year, the signal-caller completed 72.3 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to four interceptions.

The Vikings later selected McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, while Jim became head coach of the Chargers in Jan. 2024.

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season in Minnesota due to a torn right meniscus before struggling across 10 appearances in 2025, throwing for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns while getting picked off 12 times.

Heading into the 2026 season, he wasn't able to beat out Kyler Murray in a training camp battle for the Vikings' starting quarterback job before he was traded to the Giants.

Now, Jameis Winston will serve as New York's starter under center moving forward while McCarthy is set to operate in a backup role.