Giants Announce QB Move After 1 J.J. McCarthy Start

Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Giants Announce QB Move After 1 J.J. McCarthy Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 5, 2026 6:56 PM ET

J.J. McCarthy and the New York Giants improved to 4-2-1 on the 2026 NFL season in Week 7 after taking down C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans 27-21 in overtime. And fresh off a bye, the Giants will look to make it two straight wins in Week 9, hitting the road to face Joe Milton and NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles.

McCarthy, after becoming the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback in 2025, lost the job to newcomer Kyler Murray to begin 2026. And the former Michigan star was later traded to the Giants in late September in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. McCarthy started his tenure on the bench as Jameis Winston’s backup, with Jaxson Dart out for the season.

But a hairline fracture in Week 6 ended Winston’s season, making way for McCarthy to take over the starting job in New York. In his first start for the Giants in Week 7, he led his team to victory, completing 20-of-28 passes for 252 yards. And his performance was good enough that the Giants felt comfortable getting rid of another quarterback.

New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18).Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jake Haener, after a college career with Fresno St., was taken by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While he made the Saints roster during his rookie year, Haener faced a six-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He didn’t see a single snap in 2023, but appeared in eight games in 2024 as the backup, completing 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

After spending his first three seasons in New Orleans, Haener had a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs to begin 2026. And during training camp, the quarterback signed with the Giants, but didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, instead, joining New York’s practice squad. And with all the injuries at the quarterback position for the Giants, Haener was signed to the active roster in early October.

But on Thursday, just a few days before McCarthy’s second start, the Giants elected to cut Haener, with reports indicating that he could land back on the practice squad.

“The Giants cut QB Jake Haener, according to the transaction wire. Expect him to land on the practice squad,” ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote on X.

The Giants cut QB Jake Haener, according to the transaction wire. Expect him to land on the practice squad.

New York also worked out WR Maurice Alexander, WR River Cracraft, WR Steven Sims and P Wes Paul.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 5, 2026