Overview
- McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ Week 6 loss and completed 11 of 21 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and added 26 rushing yards while cutting a 24‑point deficit to seven.
- Head coach John Harbaugh said the staff is still “working through” the choice, but multiple reports say the team is increasingly likely to name McCarthy the full‑time starter soon, possibly within a week or by Halloween.
- Advanced metrics flagged McCarthy’s short sample as highly efficient, with among the highest expected points added per play and the top dropback success rate in Week 6 for qualifying passers.
- Coverage and coaches cautioned those numbers come from late‑game conditions against a Saints defense that had rested starters, and reporters reminded that McCarthy’s Vikings tenure included turnovers, heavy sack rates and injuries that temper expectations.
- A switch to McCarthy could change the Giants’ playcalling and help the struggling run game because of his mobility, and it could prompt roster moves or trade talk while creating an immediate career inflection for both McCarthy and Winston.