John Harbaugh hints at bigger role for JJ McCarthy

New York Giants coach John Harbaugh suggested the team will make more use of JJ McCarthy going forward.

Harbaugh hinted at an expanded package of plays for McCarthy, who was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings via trade. The Giants like McCarthy’s potential as a runner, and Harbaugh said the team would be doing itself a disservice by not looking into other ways the quarterback could help them.

“The benefits of it? It’s a change of pace,” Harbaugh said, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “What you saw is probably not all we have for him right now. Whether or not he’s out there or not will be determined based on whatever happens. But we’ll see if it’s something that can help us.

“One thing about it, to me, it’s like, what’s the benefit of not doing everything you can to use all the guys you have? We’re always going to be searching for opportunities to use our players, give them an opportunity to help us win games. I think we’d be negligent if we didn’t try to do that.”

The Giants did not use McCarthy much in their Week 5 tie with the Washington Commanders. He took five snaps and made little impact, but based on Harbaugh’s comments, that count may go up. McCarthy’s running ability will be the main draw, with Jameis Winston still poised to handle proper quarterback duties.

McCarthy’s throwing ability at the NFL level has left a lot to be desired, to say the least. He may be able to reinvent himself as a run-first quarterback to carve out a role for him in the league.