The New York Giants are turning to J.J. Mc Carthy as their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday. Harbaugh had to choose between Mc Carthy and Jameis Winston, who had started the previous four games while the injured starter Jaxson Dart was out.
The move follows Mc Carthy's performance in Sunday's 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He entered in the fourth quarter, threw for 243 yards and led three scoring drives, coming within 14 yards of a miraculous comeback despite trailing by 24 points. It was the second-most passing yards in a fourth quarter by a quarterback who didn't start over the past 25 years.
The Giants landed on Mc Carthy largely because of his potential. The 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Michigan, he was acquired by New York in a trade for a fifth-round pick three weeks ago. Winston, 32, threw for 152 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Saints before being benched. He has seven touchdown passes and five interceptions this season.
Mc Carthy's mobility also factored into the decision. New York has struggled badly to run the ball in recent weeks, with its running backs managing 14 carries for 34 yards Sunday. Mc Carthy led the team in rushing with 26 yards. Starting him allows the Giants to use more of the offense designed for Dart, which Winston's strengths had forced them to set aside. Harbaugh said the read plays and quarterback movement were part of the equation. New York (3-2-1) still sits in first place in a down NFC East.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing