Chris Mara tells The Post what’s changed with J.J. McCarthy — two years after Giants passed on QB in draft

Giants senior vice-president Chris Mara says J.J. McCarthy has become a more mature and impressive quarterback since the team assessed him before the 2024 draft. The Giants passed on selecting him then, but acquired him from Minnesota this autumn for a fifth-round pick after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury.

McCarthy was drafted 10th by the Vikings and missed his rookie season through injury. In 2025, he went 6-4 but completed 57.3 per cent of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; across three games with the Giants this season, he has completed 63.3 per cent and posted a 95.2 passer rating. Mara praised his stronger arm, movement and development, as McCarthy prepares to face Philadelphia, where the Giants have not won since 2013.