The New York Giants' offensive playbook is gradually expanding with the impending start of quarterback J.J. McCarthy, according to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Nagy stated that approximately 20 percent of the offensive plays previously removed from their strategy are now back in play with McCarthy set to start Sunday against the Texans.
Last week, Nagy estimated that about 30 percent of the playbook, specifically plays involving dual-threat quarterback actions like zone reads and RPOs, had been sidelined. This limitation arose after starting quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained an injury in Week 2, leading to a four-game stretch with pocket passer Jameis Winston under center. McCarthy's recent performance has allowed Nagy to reintegrate some of these elements.
“Maybe now 20 percent of that 30 that was gone is back,” Nagy said before Thursday’s practice. “For us, what does he do well? You’ve seen some of the packages he’s done, but that can become predictable. We don’t want to be predictable. Now that he’s the starter, it probably benefits us some that he’s just not always coming in to do predictable QB-driven runs.”
Mccarthy, acquired in a trade from the Vikings on September 28, is making his first start since joining the team. In his second appearance last Sunday, he entered the game off the bench and nearly led the Giants back from a 24-point deficit against the Saints. During a historic fourth quarter, he threw for 243 yards and orchestrated three scoring drives, although the team ultimately lost 34-27.
The performance confirmed the coaching staff's belief that McCarthy was ready for a more prominent role. "Just the confidence of him being able to, in practice, talk to us about the scheme, where his eyes are going in the pass game, where he’s snapping the ball with a motion or a shift," Nagy explained.
Nagy detailed the team's progression in integrating McCarthy, noting that in the first two weeks, only about 50 percent of the playbook was functional with him. Last week, that figure rose to about 90 percent, and now, with him as the starter, it's expected to be 100 percent.
Tight end Isaiah Likely emphasized the collective responsibility of the offense to support McCarthy. "Letting him know that as long as the ball’s in the air and in my vicinity, it’s a great pass either way," Likely said. "It doesn’t matter if somebody’s on me or if I’m wide open. Just throw the ball, trust me, and I’m going to make the play for you."
Wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has caught passes from eight different quarterbacks in his career, shared his approach to adapting to new players under center. "Get open; just get open," Nabers said. "They’re going to find you, and they know who their guys are. And when you talk to them, just give motivation to them. Tell them, ‘I know you’re just coming in, you don’t know me, really … but just know on certain plays, just give me an opportunity. Even when I’m covered, just give me an opportunity.’ "
Nagy praised McCarthy's operational efficiency, particularly his ability to manage no-huddle situations. "His operation is really, really good," Nagy said. "It starts with listening to the play call in your headset, being able to say it and/or read it on the wristband, get to the line of scrimmage, and then be a quarterback: see the formation, motion shifts, see the play clock, make your ID checks or whatever you do with the center, and then make a play. What he’s doing is amazing. He wants as much as he can get to digest within our offense."
Nagy also addressed the decision to start McCarthy against the Texans, a road game where the Giants are 9.5-point underdogs, rather than waiting until after the bye week. "We would not have had the discussion if we didn’t think he could do it," Nagy asserted. "We fully feel as a staff [quarterbacks] coach [Brian] Callahan has done an amazing job working with him and getting him ready. We feel confident about it."