Updated October 25, 2026, 6:16 p.m. ET
Confidence will never be an issue for JJ McCarthy.
Of course, a quarterback coming off a game in which he nearly led his team back from a 24-point fourth-quarter deficit had every reason to have confidence in himself. But as he prepared for his first start with the New York Giants on Sunday, McCarthy approached the opportunity at hand with obvious determination.
“Everything about this place seems very appropriate to me,” McCarthy said Wednesday (Oct. 21).
As someone who rarely looked steady during his two-plus years with the Minnesota Vikings, McCarthy looked particularly comfortable in his first long run with his new team.
Repeatedly making throws in a tight window, McCarthy regularly displayed his conviction in a 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans. He finished with 252 yards on 20-of-28 passing, becoming the first Giants quarterback since Eli Manning in 2011 to have two completions of 40-plus yards in the first quarter.
This attack was not a coincidence.
While some quarterbacks who take over midseason are just guards, McCarthy showed during last week’s final push in a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints just how much of a spark he can provide on offense. On Sunday, he demonstrated that he can not only be a catalyst, but guide an offense through ups and downs.
With New York’s rushing attack essentially lifeless until the second half, McCarthy easily attacked downfield early on. Although his relationship with the Giants receiving corps remains a work in progress, he has formed an impressive connection with Malik Nabers. McCarthy positioned the wideout to get open with a deep heave on a slot fade in the first quarter to set up a short touchdown.
Even more impressive was his shot to Nabers late in the second quarter. McCarthy found Nabers on a corner and delivered the pass perfectly, setting up a basket that Dominic Zvada would miss.
Nonetheless, Nabers could have reflected the mood of his entire team when he flashed a big smile after the match.
For all the big plays McCarthy was able to trigger — his first half also included a sideline dart to rookie Malachi Fields, who managed to race upfield for a 47-yard gain — the third-year passer’s biggest strides Sunday might have come in instances where he thought he’d better take his chances.
With the running game finally coming to life late and Houston’s defense weakening, McCarthy opted for a more restrained approach. As the quarterback worked the lower zone, the rushing attack paved the way for a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, giving the Giants the lead before the Texans tied it with less than a minute remaining.
But while Cam Skattebo’s 42-yard jaunt and Devin Singletary’s 30-yard touchdown won the game for the Giants in overtime, it was McCarthy who put the team in position to win.
The Texans, of course, did a lot to leave the door ajar for such a performance. With safeties Jalen Pitre and Reed Blankenship ruled out of the game, Houston’s once vaunted secondary continued to suffer breakdowns. Penalties were also significant for DeMeco Ryans’ group, which had 10 flags accepted.
But even though McCarthy was sacked three times, he managed to avoid the game-changing mistakes that doomed his tenure in Minnesota.
McCarthy’s day wasn’t without mistakes, as he at times forced passes or missed open opportunities. His next starts might not be as smooth either. But it was a promising opening statement for a quarterback in need of a clean slate and an offense looking for a path forward after losing Jaxson Dart for the season.
As he continues to determine his risk tolerance, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has reminded him of the quarterback he can be: a big-play opportunist who can still be an effective operator.
Heading into his first start, McCarthy noted that he believed he was better prepared for his second stint as a starter than his first, saying, “Experience works wonders.”
This one could do a lot for him and the Giants.
Gn sports
