Mccarthy’s Giants Revival Has Deep Roots—and Room to Grow
WHO:
New York Post - J.J. McCarthy is a 23-year-old quarterback who joined the New York Giants after playing for the Minnesota Vikings; Minnesota selected him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
New York Post - Giants head coach John Harbaugh said McCarthy’s situation shows that “if things aren’t working out for you, that’s not the final say” and that “You have the final say on everything, ultimately.”
New York Post - Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury in the second week of the season and was lost for the year; Jameis Winston took over as starter before returning to a backup role.
New York Post - Devin Singletary scored a 30-yard touchdown against the Houston Texans.
New York Post - Malik Nabers has caught 11 passes for 206 yards from McCarthy in less than five quarters together. Nabers missed most of the previous season with a torn ACL and had topped 100 receiving yards in each of the prior four games.
Pro Football Network - Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho publicly downplayed praise for McCarthy after the Giants’ win over the Texans; the headline quotes him saying, “I Will Not Apologize to J.J. McCarthy” and “You Have Such a Short-Term Memory.”
WHAT:
New York Post - The Giants were 4-2-1 and in first place in the NFC East heading into their bye week, with a path to the division title.
New York Post - McCarthy joined the Giants from Minnesota in a trade for a fifth-round pick less than a month before the article. He passed for 243 yards in less than a quarter after replacing Winston against the Saints, then threw for a career-best 252 yards against the Texans.
New York Post - McCarthy started 10 games for Minnesota the prior season, then fell to third on its depth chart behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
New York Post - McCarthy said, “It’s one of those things where you think you’re starting over, but no, you’re starting from experience.”
New York Post - After three consecutive losses featuring six interceptions and two touchdowns, McCarthy completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in a Week 14 win over Washington. He had missed the preceding week while in concussion protocol, won his next three starts, and missed another game with a hand injury.
WHERE:
New York Post - McCarthy’s 252-yard game against Houston was played at NRG Stadium, where he had led Michigan to a national title in 2024.
New York Post - The Giants’ game against the Texans was in Houston; their reported next game was scheduled in Philadelphia.
WHEN:
New York Post - The Giants were set to return from their bye and play in Philadelphia on Nov. 8.
WHY:
New York Post - The article said Nabers’ production was a major reason McCarthy succeeded quickly with the Giants.
New York Post - The bye week was expected to give McCarthy more time to work with his new teammates.
HOW:
New York Post - McCarthy said he began feeling more comfortable in the NFL after the Week 14 win over Washington, as he better understood defensive concepts, play intent, and game situations.
New York Post - Head coach John Harbaugh chose McCarthy to start against Houston, citing his early grasp of Matt Nagy’s offense.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has quickly revived his NFL career with the New York Giants, throwing for a career-high 252 yards in a win over Houston as the Giants moved to 4-2-1 and first place in the NFC East. McCarthy, who joined New York in a trade after falling down Minnesota’s depth chart, has connected with Malik Nabers for 11 catches and 206 yards in less than five quarters, while coach John Harbaugh says a difficult stretch is not the final word on a player’s career. The Giants return from their bye to face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Nov.