Giants QB J.J. McCarthy Starting Week 7

McCarthy made the most of his time in Week 6’s loss to the Saints after entering for Jameis Winston. Following the game, HC John Harbaugh was asked whether he would consider replacing Winston with McCarthy, who nearly sparked a comeback win that ultimately fell short on Sunday after he ended what appeared to be a blowout for Winston.

“I can’t answer that now,” Harbaugh said, via NFL.com. “It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now. We’ve got to go back and go to work. I have no problem with Jameis whatsoever. I love the way he competes, I love the way he fights — all those kind of things. His play was up and down today, for sure, but those things will all be decided not 10 minutes after a game.”

“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances,” Harbaugh added. “Kind of desperation time. It’s different than normal football. But he made some plays and gave us a chance at the end to win the game.”

McCarthy, 23, led Michigan to a national championship in 2023 and was named first-team All-Big Ten. The Vikings used the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft on McCarthy. 

He signed a four-year, $21,854,796 contract that included a $12,714,396 signing bonus and a fifth-year option for the team to pick up in 2028. The Giants acquired him from the Vikings in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.

In 2026, McCarthy has appeared in one game for the Giants and completed 52.4 percent of his passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.