At this rate, New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston could throw four touchdowns, no interceptions, and still hear questions about J.J. McCarthy potentially replacing him in the starting lineup.
Winston has led the NFC East-leading Giants to consecutive wins as the interim starting quarterback, and he’s expected to make his third straight start against the Commanders this coming Sunday. All signs point to McCarthy, the 2024 first-round pick whom the Giants acquired from the Vikings last week, remaining the backup.
As for when we’ll see “Nine” take the starting reins, former Jets coach Rex Ryan isn’t among those anticipating a Week 5 debut.
“He just got there,” Ryan told ESPN New York on Monday. “He’s got to get up to speed, but once he does, then that leash [will] be a lot shorter for Jameis.”
When will J.J. McCarthy replace Jameis Winston as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback?
As is typically the case, Winston has been a mixed bag since taking over for the injured Jaxson Dart in Week 2. He’s completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 479 yards, three touchdowns, and three picks; if not for the Giants’ fourth-quarter defensive stands, they could easily be riding a three-game losing streak ahead of their trip to Washington.
Giants legend Eli Manning recently told ESPN New York he believes McCarthy will need roughly six weeks to become fully acclimated. Assuming the team is thinking similarly, that puts the former Michigan standout on track to replace Winston in late November; neither John Harbaugh nor Joe Schoen has publicly revealed any timetable for a possible quarterback change.
Ryan, who has a longstanding relationship with Harbaugh and served as his defensive coordinator in Baltimore, did not speculate on when the Giants might turn to McCarthy. As for his overall thoughts on the 23-year-old quarterback?
“There’s a reason this kid was taken in the first round,” Ryan pointed out. “I mean, there is. And so he’s gotta have some type of positive traits.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for someone who went No. 10 only two years ago.
In fairness to Ryan, there aren’t many consensus “positive traits” about McCarthy. Not only has he battled numerous injuries since entering the NFL, but he’s also faced questions about his work ethic and maturity. Teams don’t demote an incumbent starter to the No. 3 role without reason, and his time on IR was only part of the problem.
Maybe changing from No. 9 to No. 18 is what McCarthy needed to reboot his career. He can no longer retreat into the “Nine” persona that made him a laughingstock on social media throughout his first two seasons. If that turns out to be a victory in itself, then we suggest the Giants take it and run.
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