J.J. McCarthy Profile, Stats, Career, Age, Height & Team

J.J. McCarthy is an American football quarterback whose career has taken him from a standout run at Michigan to the NFL. Born in Evanston, Illinois, McCarthy became one of the top young quarterbacks in college football and helped Michigan win the 2023 national championship. He finished his college career with a 27–1 record as a starter and was selected No. 10 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 NFL Draft.

His start in the NFL was delayed after a knee injury kept him out for the entire 2024 season. McCarthy finally made his regular-season debut for Minnesota in 2025 and started 10 games that year, passing for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The 2026 season has brought another major change in his career. J.J. McCarthy competed for the Vikings’ starting quarterback job during the offseason, but Minnesota named Kyler Murray its starter in August. McCarthy later moved to the third-string role. On September 28, 2026, the Vikings traded him to the New York Giants for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.

J.J. McCarthy now enters a new chapter with the Giants as he continues his young NFL career. His football journey includes a national championship at Michigan, a delayed NFL debut, a memorable first professional game and a major team change in 2026.

J.J. McCarthy Information

Career of J.J. McCarthy

History of J.J. McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy’s football career has moved quickly from high school football in Illinois to the national stage at Michigan and then to the NFL. After becoming one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, he chose Michigan and developed into the team’s starting quarterback.

McCarthy helped Michigan win three straight Big Ten titles during his college career. His biggest moment came during the 2023 season, when he led the Wolverines to a perfect 15-0 record and a national championship.

The Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. His first NFL season was delayed by a knee injury, but he returned to the field in 2025 and made his regular-season debut against the Chicago Bears.

J.J. McCarthy finished his first NFL season with 10 starts. He threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while also rushing for 181 yards and four touchdowns.

Early Life

J.J. McCarthy was born on January 20, 2003, in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in La Grange Park.

Football became an important part of his life at a young age, but hockey was also a major part of his childhood. J.J. McCarthy played hockey while growing up before deciding to focus fully on football during high school.

He first made a name for himself at Nazareth Academy in Illinois. As a sophomore, he helped the school win the Illinois Class 7A state championship. He later transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he finished his high school career with an undefeated 8-0 season.

His strong performances made him a five-star quarterback recruit and attracted offers from several major college programs.

College / Youth Career

J.J. McCarthy committed to the University of Michigan and joined the Wolverines in 2021.

During his freshman season, he shared quarterback duties with Cade McNamara and appeared in 11 games. He showed his ability as both a passer and runner and became an important part of Michigan’s offense.

In 2022, McCarthy won the starting quarterback job. He passed for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding five rushing touchdowns. Michigan won the Big Ten Championship and reached the College Football Playoff.

His final college season in 2023 was the biggest of his career. McCarthy passed for 2,991 yards and 22 touchdowns as Michigan went 15-0. The Wolverines won another Big Ten title and then defeated Alabama in the Rose Bowl before beating Washington in the national championship game.

J.J. McCarthy finished his Michigan career with a 27-1 record as a starter, along with 6,226 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Professional Career

The Minnesota Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract with the team that summer and entered training camp competing for a role in the Vikings’ quarterback room.

His rookie season ended before it began. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason and underwent surgery. The injury kept him out for the entire 2024 regular season.

J.J. McCarthy returned in 2025 and became Minnesota’s starting quarterback. He made his NFL debut against the Chicago Bears and helped the Vikings overcome an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit in a 27-24 win. He threw two touchdown passes and added another touchdown on the ground.

In 10 starts during the 2025 season, J.J. McCarthy completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also recorded 181 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Current Club

J.J. McCarthy remains with the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 season.

The Vikings added veteran quarterback Kyler Murray during the 2026 offseason, creating a new competition in the quarterback room. Minnesota named Murray its starting quarterback on August 11, 2026.

J.J. McCarthy entered the 2026 season behind Murray and Carson Wentz on the Vikings’ quarterback depth chart. His current role is as the team’s third quarterback, giving him another opportunity to continue developing within the organization.

For McCarthy, the 2026 season is another step in his young NFL career. After missing his rookie season with an injury and gaining his first regular-season experience in 2025, he remains part of Minnesota’s long-term quarterback picture.

Career Statistics

College Career: 40 games, 28 starts, 6,226 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, plus 632 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

NFL Career through 2025: 10 games, 10 starts, 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, plus 181 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.

Player Honours & Awards

Playing Style / Role

Position: Quarterback (QB)

Strengths:
J.J. McCarthy brings a strong arm, good accuracy and the ability to make plays outside the pocket. He can throw with both power and touch, including passes into tight windows. He is also a mobile quarterback who can use his legs to pick up important yards when a passing play breaks down.

Playing Role:
J.J. McCarthy is a quarterback who can work from the pocket but is also comfortable moving on the run. His style gives the offense another option when the defense takes away the first passing play. During his 2025 NFL season, he showed the ability to make big throws while also using his legs in key situations.

Key Abilities:

• Strong arm and quick release
• Good ball placement on downfield throws
• Mobility and scrambling ability
• Comfortable making throws while moving
• Can attack defenses with both his arm and legs
• Ability to stay aggressive on big plays

Role in the 2026 Team:
J.J. McCarthy entered the 2026 offseason with experience in Kevin O’Connell’s offense and continued working on reading coverages, making better decisions and improving his understanding of different throws. Vikings coverage in 2026 described his progress as continuing upward, with more growth in reading defenses and adjusting his throws.

Major Career Moments

First Professional Game — September 2025
J.J. McCarthy made his long-awaited NFL debut with the Minnesota Vikings in the 2025 season opener against the Chicago Bears. After missing his entire rookie season because of a knee injury, he returned with a strong second-half performance. McCarthy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings came back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 27–24.

First Major Award — 2023
McCarthy earned the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year award after leading Michigan through an undefeated 2023 season. He also received first-team All-Big Ten honors and finished the year with 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Breakout Season — 2023
The 2023 season was the defining year of McCarthy’s college career. He started all 15 games and helped Michigan finish 15–0. His 72.3% completion rate set a Michigan single-season record, while the Wolverines won the Big Ten title and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Major Playoff Performance — 2024 Rose Bowl
McCarthy delivered one of his biggest college performances against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns as Michigan won 27–20 in overtime. He was named the Rose Bowl Offensive Player of the Game, and the victory sent Michigan to the national championship game.

Career Milestone — 2024 National Championship
McCarthy finished his Michigan career by helping the Wolverines win the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 34–13 victory over Washington. He ended his college career with a 27–1 record as a starting quarterback, along with 6,226 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

NFL Return — 2025
After sitting out the entire 2024 season because of injury, McCarthy finally took his first regular-season NFL snaps in 2025. His debut comeback against Chicago became an early highlight of his professional career and marked the start of his on-field NFL career.

Current Team & 2026 Season

Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Position: Quarterback (QB)
Jersey Number: No. 9
2026 Season: McCarthy remains on the Vikings roster and entered the 2026 season behind veteran quarterback Kyler Murray on the depth chart. Carson Wentz is also part of the Vikings’ quarterback group.

2026 Statistics:
Through the first two regular-season games of 2026, McCarthy has not recorded a regular-season passing attempt. He did play in the preseason, completing 9 of 17 passes for 115 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions across two games in which he recorded passing statistics.

Recent Achievement:
McCarthy’s biggest recent milestone remains his 2025 NFL debut, when he led Minnesota to a 27–24 comeback win over the Chicago Bears after missing his entire 2024 rookie season because of a knee injury.

Current Role:
McCarthy is part of Minnesota’s active quarterback group in 2026. His current role is primarily as a backup quarterback, with Kyler Murray listed ahead of him on the Vikings’ quarterback depth chart.

Frequently Asked Questions About J.J. McCarthy

Who is J.J. McCarthy?

J.J. McCarthy is an American football quarterback who plays in the NFL. He became well known during his college career at the University of Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines win the national championship in the 2023 season. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

How old is J.J. McCarthy?

J.J. McCarthy was born on January 20, 2003. He is 23 years old in 2026. He was born in La Grange Park, Illinois, and started playing football at a young age before becoming a highly rated quarterback.

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

J.J. McCarthy is with the New York Giants in 2026. He joined the Giants after spending his first NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. His move to New York gives him a new opportunity to continue developing his career as an NFL quarterback.

What happened to J.J. McCarthy’s injury?

J.J. McCarthy has dealt with injuries during his early NFL career. The most notable issue was a knee injury that affected his availability during the 2025 season. His recovery and return to the field have been important parts of his development as a young quarterback.

Where did J.J. McCarthy go to college?

Player Social & Official Links

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