J.J. McCarthy will take over as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback Sunday at the Houston Texans, with coach John Harbaugh committing to the 23-year-old after his fourth-quarter relief appearance against the New Orleans Saints.
Veteran Jameis Winston will return to the backup role after starting four games in place of Jaxson Dart, whose knee injury has ended his season. Winston was pulled during last week’s loss to New Orleans, and McCarthy nearly rallied the first-place Giants from the deficit.
Harbaugh said the move reflects the offense New York believes it can build with McCarthy under center. He said McCarthy’s particular abilities give the Giants options and provide their preferred direction moving forward.
McCarthy gets opportunity after Week 6 spark
McCarthy entered against the Saints after Winston threw two interceptions and managed 152 passing yards. Although McCarthy also threw a pick, he produced 243 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion while directing three scoring possessions in the fourth quarter.
The comeback fell short, but the Giants saw enough to make the change permanent for Week 7 rather than extending their quarterback decision through the practice week. Harbaugh had declined to name a starter immediately after the game and said Monday that he was still narrowing down the choice.
Harbaugh emphasized that the decision was not a referendum on Winston, calling both quarterbacks capable players. The coach pointed instead to McCarthy’s skill set and the potential to capitalize on it.
Winston’s starting run ends
Winston first took over when Dart injured his knee during the Giants’ Monday night defeat to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 21. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft started the next four games, completing 57.0% of his passes for 957 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
His Week 6 struggles prompted the in-game switch, and New York will now turn to McCarthy as it tries to protect its position atop the division.
Uneven NFL path for McCarthy
McCarthy arrived in New York via trade after Dart’s season-ending injury. He had been Minnesota’s first-round selection in the 2024 draft after leading Michigan to a national championship under Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh’s younger brother.
A preseason knee injury wiped out McCarthy’s rookie season with the Vikings. He then started 10 games in 2025, but injuries interrupted his year and he finished with 11 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. Minnesota later signed Kyler Murray, who won the starting job during the offseason.
McCarthy has not started an NFL game since Minnesota’s Week 18 victory over the Green Bay Packers last season. Across 12 career appearances, he has completed 57.2% of his throws for 1,875 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
His mobility offers New York a different element from Winston, while his arm strength and leadership have remained notable parts of his profile. Accuracy and ball security will be central questions as the Giants prepare for Sunday’s road matchup with Houston.
