J.J. McCarthy Named Giants Starting Quarterback
Rookie QB to make his first start against the Houston Texans after strong relief performance.
The New York Giants have named rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy their starting signal-caller for the upcoming Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans. The decision follows McCarthy's impactful relief appearance in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
McCarthy entered the game with the Giants trailing by 21 points and proceeded to throw for 243 yards in an 11-minute span, an NFL record for most passing yards within such a timeframe. This performance earned him the starting role over veteran Jameis Winston, as announced by head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday.
His play has generated significant interest in fantasy football leagues, where his roster percentage has risen. McCarthy's mobility, demonstrated by 26 rushing yards on two attempts in relief, adds another dimension to the Giants' offense. This ability to scramble can force defenses to account for him, potentially opening up opportunities for the team's running backs.
The Giants' backfield has seen recent changes, with a committee approach being taken between Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Devin Singletary. Najee Harris was released on Tuesday after publicly criticizing the team's running back strategy.
The Giants' offense was initially designed with Run-Pass Option plays for quarterback Jaxson Dart, suggesting that McCarthy's skillset could allow for the fuller execution of these packages, which were scaled back under Winston's leadership.
McCarthy has also shown a willingness to attempt deep passes, connecting with wide receiver Charlie Jones for a 49-yard gain, his longest of the game. While McCarthy offers off-script playmaking ability, he has also demonstrated a propensity for turnovers, with 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 10 starts for Minnesota previously.
Despite the potential for turnovers, targets Malik Nabers is expected to remain a primary receiving option, having seen a significant target share since Week 4. Many of Nabers' receiving yards in the recent game came from McCarthy's throws. Tight end Isaiah Likely also remains a key target, holding a high target share.
McCarthy's ability to produce against a defense with a large lead in Week 6 will be tested against a Texans defense that has been strong against quarterbacks this season. The Giants will look to see if McCarthy can replicate his explosive relief performance from the start of the game against Houston.