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Giants Name J.J. McCarthy Their Starting Quarterback, Replacing Jameis Winston

Coaches say McCarthy's mobility restores access to the offense installed before Jaxson Dart's injury.

Oct 18, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) throws a pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) reacts after throwing a twenty-four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely (not pictured) against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) on the field during warmups during a week 6 NFL football game between New York Giants and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Giants announced Thursday that J.J. McCarthy will start Sunday in Houston, promoting him after he relieved Jameis Winston late in the loss to New Orleans.
  • New York acquired McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 28 for a 2027 fifth-round pick and activated him rapidly to provide low-cost quarterback depth after Dart's season-ending knee injury.
  • McCarthy's relief outing against the Saints featured three fourth-quarter scoring drives and a line of 11-of-21 for 234 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 26 rushing yards, which accelerated the team's decision.
  • Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said McCarthy's running and throwing traits mirror Jaxson Dart's, allowing the Giants to reintroduce quarterback runs and other plays that had been curtailed under a pure pocket passer.
  • The move is still an on-the-job evaluation: McCarthy is learning the playbook, has an uneven NFL track record and injury history from Minnesota, and reports suggest the staff may reshape the run game and personnel if the scheme change sticks.