The word is out: Jim Harbaugh didn’t just have glowing things to say about J.J. McCarthy before the 2024 draft, he actually gave his brother John the inside scoop directly before John’s Giants made the trade for the former Michigan quarterback. This wasn’t just some general praise; John Harbaugh actually called Jim to get the real talk on McCarthy.
The Harbaugh Brother Connection That Set Up McCarthy’s Move
When reporters asked Jim Harbaugh about McCarthy on Wednesday, he spilled the beans on the conversation with his brother. Jim quoted himself saying to John, “I mean, John called me and asked me. I said, you know, John, I love you. I love J.J. I think you guys would be . . .’ so, really, I’m telling you the same thing that I told my brother.” That’s a pretty strong endorsement from a guy who knows McCarthy’s game inside and out from their Michigan days. It really feels like that family connection played a critical role in getting McCarthy to the Giants.
A Fresh Start and The Harbaugh Style
Let’s be real, things just didn’t click for McCarthy when he was in Minnesota. For whatever reason, it didn’t work. But what *did* work was his time at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh. Maybe it’s that particular “Harbaugh rah-rah style” that McCarthy responds to. It makes you wonder if getting back under the wing of a Harbaugh, even if it’s not Jim directly, is exactly what he needs to ignite his NFL career. McCarthy definitely needed a fresh start, and playing for John Harbaugh might just be the closest thing to playing for Jim himself. It’s on McCarthy now to make this “second act with the Giants” go better than his first NFL stint.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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