J.J. McCarthys whirlwind Giants tenure takes big leap into starting role
Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.It’s J.J.
McCarthy time for the Giants.McCarthy was a bust for the Minnesota Vikings, sitting on the bench and with his career up in the air before being traded to the Giants less than three weeks ago in exchange for a fifth-round pick.On Wednesday, he was announced as the starter for the Giants this Sunday in Houston.John Harbaugh said McCarthy, who sparked a rally in the fourth quarter that fell just short Sunday against the Saints when he replaced Jameis Winston, would remain under center this week against the Texans.While Harbaugh didn’t say McCarthy would be the starter the rest of the year, he did add, “That’s the plan going forward.”McCarthy will be the Giants third starting quarterback in just seven games this year, with Winston having already taken over for Jaxson Dart when Dart went down with a knee injury in Week 2.Winston was inconsistent in his four games as the starter and the Giants didn’t waste much time turning to McCarthy, the 10th overall pick by the Vikings in the 2024 draft.“I feel like just being around a new group of guys, new system, new coaching staff, just a new culture,” McCarthy said.
“Everything about this place, it feels very fitting for me.”McCarthy, 23, never impressed with Minnesota out of Michigan.He missed his rookie year with a torn meniscus in his knee, but became the starter with the Vikings when Sam Darnold signed with Seattle, going 6-4 with 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season as he was in and out of the lineup with injuries.It’s the latest change for the Giants.Winston went 2-1-1 in his four games as the starter and is just one week removed from tossing three touchdown passes — and no interceptions — as the Giants rallied for a tie against the Commanders.He followed that with a pair of interceptions against New Orleans, which led to the switch to McCarthy, when the Giants t...