New York Giants

J.J. McCarthy is getting a fresh start with New York Giants, and with that fresh start comes a new number.

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Although McCarthy has a personal attachment to the No. 9, the Giants already employ a player that wears that number. Therefore, McCarthy had to choose a new number that will represent him during games as he joins his new team.

The change, though, is more notable for McCarthy than most, considering the quarterback gave himself an alter ego named «Nine.» It is just the latest in many changes that McCarthy is going through during his third NFL season.

Here’s a look at McCarthy’s new number.

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J.J. McCarthy chooses new number with Giants

New Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who wore the No. 9 for both the Vikings and the University of Michigan, doesn’t appear to using the number for New York. Tight end Isaiah Likely, whom the Giants acquired in the offseason, is already using the No. 9.

Therefore, it seems like McCarthy will be changing his number instead of working out a deal with Likely to wear the No. 9. The Giants website lists McCarthy as wearing the No. 18.

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With tight end Isaiah Likely wearing No. 9, new Giants QB J.J. McCarthy now will wear No. 18, per the team’s website. pic.twitter.com/Gmev3F7Guy

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2026

Sometimes, players who are new to teams will try to get their preferred numbers by offering deals with the current holder of the digit. McCarthy, though, may not have enough equity in the NFL to ask Likely, one of the Giants best offensive players, to change his number.

McCarthy has developed an alter ego of sorts, as he tries to flip a switch on gamedays to play his best. McCarthy calls that version of himself «Nine,» which represented his former number.

Now that he is wearing No. 18, though, McCarthy’s self-imposed nickname doesn’t fit as well. The No. 18 is double the No. 9, which may be good enough for McCarthy to accept the digits.

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