New York Giants

The New York Giants made a big move on Monday, trading for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy to help replace the injured Jaxson Dart.

Read more NCPG Executive Director Latest to Quit Amid Backlash Over Kalshi Deal

As the Giants needed to make an immediate move, it’s not a total surprise that John Harbaugh acquired someone with a little connection to him. McCarthy spent three years playing for Jim Harbaugh in Michigan, helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023.

While the Harbaugh’s run their own, separate operations, they do occasionally lean on connections with the other to help them fill out their teams. This is more of prevelent with their coaching staff overlaps, but it also extends to the rosters at times as well.

Here’s a breakdown of the Harbaugh overlap in the NFL.

MORE NFL WEEK 3:

• Inside Drake Maye’s turnover troubles
• Chargers, Texans and more teams to fall in 0-3 hole
• Mike Vrabel explains why concern is ‘high’ for Pats
• How Bills survived 5-turnover day to stay undefeated

John Harbaugh-Jim Harbaugh NFL overlap

The Harbaugh brothers have utilized each other to help fill out their rosters and coaching staffs, often bringing in players or coaches that once worked for the other.

The most obvious example of this is Greg Roman, who worked for both Harbaugh brothers multiple times during his coaching career. Roman first worked for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, then followed him to the San Francisco 49ers and, eventually, the Los Angeles Chargers. Roman also worked for John on the Baltimore Ravens, and he now is part of John’s staff on the Giants.

Other examples of this is Mike MacDonald, as the Seattle Seahawks head coach worked for the Baltimore Ravens under John and Michigan under Jim, and Jay Harbaugh, Jim’s son who got his start under John and currently works for MacDonald’s Seahawks.

Read more Inks & Pints Slot Review

Besides McCarthy, a current Giants players who once played for Jim Harbaugh is Najee Harris, while a current Chargers players who once played for Jim is tight end Charlie Kolar. Other players to have played for both includes J.K. Dobbins, Hayden Hurst, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Johnson, Gus Edwards and Bradley Bozeman.

The McCarthy trade is just another example of Harbaugh’s power in the Giants organization.

If it wasn’t already clear, trading for J.J. McCarthy is a sure sign that John Harbaugh gets what John Harbaugh wants. McCarthy was coached by Jim Harbaugh at Michigan but was not high on #Giants draft board in 2024. https://t.co/Koflbi5VG5

— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) September 28, 2026

McCarthy likely will backup Jameis Winston to open his Giants tenure, but he could find playing time later in the season.

Read more Los Angeles Rams