Giants players not worried about this possible J.J. McCarthy problem after QB switch

Months before Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made J.J. McCarthy the team's third-choice quarterback option this season, a report suggested that people within the Vikings were concerned about "McCarthy’s accuracy, his touch and his consistency."

"The lack of touch coincides with McCarthy’s lack of precision as a passer in 2025," that story added. Specifically, the New York Giants' website shared that McCarthy "throws what the analytics say is one of the fastest fastballs from a quarterback in the NFL."

While speaking with reporters roughly 24 hours after McCarthy was named the Giants' QB1, New York wide receiver Malik Nabers addressed having to adjust to trying to catch passes thrown by the 2024 first-round draft pick.

Malik Nabers: It's not "really that hard to just catch any QB's throw"

"Adjustment is just focusing on the ball, just watching the nose of the ball, timing your hands up and clenching the ball when it hits your hand," Nabers explained. "It doesn't matter how fast the ball comes. As long as you time it up right, you're able to catch the ball. So, that's all I've got to say about that. I don't think it's really that hard to just catch any QB's throw. It's just timing up catching the ball."

The Giants acquired McCarthy from the Vikings in late September, so Nabers and other New York targets don't have much experience working with the 23-year-old. That said, McCarthy seemingly impressed people within the Giants when he went 11-of-21 passing for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a relief appearance against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 18. 

McCarthy will now start when the 3-2-1 Giants play at the 2-4 Houston Texans this coming Sunday. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Big Blue as a 10.5-point road underdog for that game. 

Isaiah Likely prepared for what J.J. McCarthy may throw his way

"I feel like every pass, I have to catch it regardless of the speed of it," Giants tight end Isaiah Likely said about playing with McCarthy. "I feel like that's something that the weather's changing a little bit. You'll probably get to notice a little more when it gets cold. But right now, I feel like J.J.'s spinning with confidence. I feel like any ball that's in my vicinity is catchable."

On Wednesday, first-year Giants head coach John Harbaugh revealed that his "plan going forward" is that McCarthy will serve as the Giants' QB1 through at least Week 18. Likely seems just fine with that idea. 

"Great quarterback," Likely added about McCarthy. "Somebody that is trying to learn, get after it. Obviously, a smile on his face every time he's out there. Somebody that is obviously competitive."