Oct 18, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) throws a pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
JJ McCarthy’s fourth-quarter audition and near-comeback against the New Orleans Saints provided the Giants with enough evidence to make a change under center.
Big Blue is benching veteran backup Jameis Winston in favor of the 23-year-old Michigan product, who was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in late September after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart went down with a season-ending injury.
While McCarthy has been hurriedly brought up to speed on the playbook and the Giants’ offense, he was finally given the keys to the offense in what was supposed to be garbage time in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Saints. But McCarthy nearly willed New York back from a 24-point deficit by directing three scoring drives and throwing for 243 yards with a touchdown in less than a quarter of work.
Winston, who did well enough to win two games as the Giants’ starter, only mustered 152 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against the lowly Saints.
“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances of desperation time,” head coach Harbaugh said of McCarthy. “It’s different than normal football, but he made some plays and got us back, gave us a chance to win the game, and we’re throwing the ball in the end zone at the end, so that was good. You’ve got to compliment him on that.”
Sunday’s test against the Texans could be an advantageous one for McCarthy, even if the AFC South squad has the time to gameplan for him — a luxury the Saints did not have. Houston has allowed the sixth-most passing yards in the NFL this season, and only four teams have fewer than its three interceptions.
McCarthy, a first-round pick (No. 10) of the Vikings just two years ago, profiles much more similarly to Dart. He is far more mobile and elusive than Winston, and is athletic enough to make throws on the run and under duress.
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