EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are naming J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s matchup with the Houston Texans, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Coach John Harbaugh chose to elevate McCarthy over veteran Jameis Winston after the former first-round pick delivered an electric fourth-quarter relief performance against the New Orleans Saints. McCarthy replaced a struggling Winston with New York down 34-10 on Sunday, finishing 11-of-21 passing for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He engineered three scoring drives and pulled the Giants within 14 yards of tying the contest before falling short in the closing seconds of a 34-27 defeat.
The yardage marked the second-highest fourth-quarter passing total by a non-starting quarterback in the NFL over the past 25 years, according to ESPN.
Rekindling the offensive blueprint
Harbaugh had weighed the decision early in the week before opting for McCarthy’s arm strength and mobility. The Giants designed their system around rookie starter Jaxson Dart, but a season-ending knee injury to Dart in Week 2 forced the coaching staff into a less mobile scheme suited for Winston.
New York has labored to move the ball on the ground in recent weeks. During Sunday’s loss, Giants running backs managed only 34 yards on 14 carries, while McCarthy paced the squad with 26 rushing yards during his single quarter on the field.
“The elements that we’re talking about with some of the read plays and some of the different things you do moving the quarterback around, those are definitely things that are part of the equation,” Harbaugh said, according to ESPN.
Winston, 32, inked a two-year, $13 million contract extension prior to the season to serve as the primary backup. After stepping in for Dart, Winston compiled seven touchdown passes, five interceptions, and absorbed 15 sacks over five games. Against New Orleans, Winston threw for 152 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions before Harbaugh sent him to the bench.
A second chance for former top pick
For McCarthy, 23, the nod represents an opportunity to revitalize a career that sputtered early with the Minnesota Vikings. Selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft out of the University of Michigan — where he played for Harbaugh’s brother, Jim Harbaugh — McCarthy missed his entire rookie season because of a knee injury. He started 10 games in 2025, throwing 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, before Minnesota signed Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz in the offseason.
Relegated to third string in Minnesota, McCarthy was dealt to New York three weeks ago in exchange for a fifth-round draft choice.
McCarthy showcased an instant connection with wide receiver Malik Nabers on Sunday, hitting the wideout for four completions totaling 95 yards during the fourth-quarter rally. Nabers finished the contest with 165 receiving yards.
The Giants enter Week 7 sitting in first place in the NFC East at 3-2-1, but McCarthy faces a tough inaugural start. Houston ranks third in the league with 18 sacks through five games, presenting an aggressive pass rush before New York heads into its bye week.
