J.J. McCarthy to Start for Giants After Harbaugh's Brady Jab — SkimNews
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- J.J. McCarthy will make his first start for the New York Giants against the Houston Texans, following his fourth-quarter relief of Jameis Winston in Week 6.
- John Harbaugh compared McCarthy's need to learn the offense to Tom Brady hypothetically returning from retirement, saying even Brady wouldn't be ready to play immediately.
- McCarthy threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints, leading three scoring drives in his debut action.
- The Giants traded for McCarthy after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury, accelerating the need to integrate him into the lineup.
- Matt Nagy said the offensive staff expanded the playbook to 90 percent for McCarthy last week and will adjust calls to match his strengths in his first start.
- Tom Brady has no plans to return to the NFL, though he confirmed he inquired about league rules on minority owners playing, calling himself 'very happily retired'.
Why it matters: McCarthy’s promotion marks a pivotal shift in the Giants’ quarterback strategy after a midseason trade and injury, with the offense now adapting to a new starter who has thrown just 243 passes in his career. The team risks short-term instability but gains a mobile, developing option under center.
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