The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 63 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE F ormer Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy lost the starting job to Kyler Murray in Minnesota and became the Vikings' third-stringer behind backup Carson Wentz. A move was in- evitable, and a change of scenery ap- pears to have been positive. In late September, the Vikings traded McCarthy to the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick in 2027. The Giants lost second-year former Ole Miss quarter- back Jaxson Dart for the rest of the sea- son and were looking for depth behind Jameis Winston. A s i t t u r n s o u t , t h e 6 - fo o t -3, 219-pound McCarthy may be even more than that. Head coach John Harbaugh and of- fensive coordinator Matt Nagy created a special package for McCarthy to get some reps the week prior, before Mc- Carthy came in for relief duty with the team trailing the New Orleans Saints 34-10 with just over 11 minutes remain- ing in the fourth quarter. The former No. 10 overall pick in 2024 proceeded to throw for 243 yards — the most in a fourth quarter by any player this season and second-most in a fourth quarter by any quarterback that didn't start over the last 25 years. McCarthy connected on 11 of his 21 passes with 1 touchdown and 1 interception that came earlier in the game. "He did a heck of a job given the cir- cumstances," Harbaugh said. "I hope I just showed them that I can do my job at a high enough level that they can trust me out there," McCarthy said. The trust level in McCarthy certainly went up while it lessened for Winston, who averaged only 5.8 yards per at- tempt, took 4 sacks and threw 2 inter- ceptions. Pressed on who his starting quarter- back would be going forward in his Oct. 19 press conference, Harbaugh said he was "working through that now." McCarthy was always going to get an- other chance to prove himself, and that time looks to be now, in New York. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NFL Through Oct. 19 • Erick All Jr. (played at U-M from 2019- 22), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Appeared in five contests with one start for the 3-2 Bengals, recording 30 yards and 2 first downs. • Jaishawn Barham (2024-25), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Racked up 32 tackles (third on team), 4 TFL, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in six appearances with five starts for the 2-4 Cowboys. • AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks: Reeled in 15 grabs for 138 yards on 24 tar- gets while opening all six games for the 3-3 defending Super Bowl champions. • Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Started at left guard in all six outings for the 1-5 Buccaneers, generating a 59.4 overall PFF rating. • Max Bredeson (2021-25), FB, Minnesota Vikings: Competed in all five games for the 5-0 Vikings, logging 85 snaps, including 73 blocking plays. • Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Chicago Bears: Tallied 34 tackles with 5 for loss, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 pass breakup while starting all five games for the 4-2 Bears. • Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Tex- ans: Missed two games due to injury but still ranks second on the team with 323 receiving yards, making 22 catches with 3 touchdowns for the 2-4 Texans. • Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams: Recorded 223 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 47 attempts, while adding 9 catches for 91 yards and a score in six ap- pearances off the bench for the 2-4 Rams. • Mike Danna (2019), DE, Buffalo Bills: In- active for five of six games, appearing in one for the 5-1 Bills. • Tommy Doman Jr. (2021-24), P, Buffalo Bills: Attempted 12 punts through six clashes, averaging 48.7 yards per kick … Pinned oppo- nents inside the 20-yard line 6 times. • Rashan Gary (2016-18), DL, Dallas Cow- boys: Registered 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS McCarthy Excels Off Bench In Giants Debut Former U-M quarterback J.J. McCarthy excelled as a late replacement for the New York Giants on Oct. 18, throwing for 243 yards in the fourth quarter of a loss to the New Orleans Saints. PHOTO BY EVAN PINKUS/NEW YORK GIANTS