In just two games, New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy has looked light years better than Jameis Winston has in eight games.
After coming over in an early season trade with the Minnesota Vikings, McCarthy has thrown for 495 yards, one touchdown, one interception over the last two weeks. He led the Giants to a 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, and it appears the Giants’ QB1 job is McCarthy’s for the rest of the season.
Because McCarthy plays a similar style of game as New York’s regular starter Jaxson Dart (both are mobile, can make plays with their legs, and excel with making short-to-intermediate throws), it’s been a seamless transition into offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s offense.
But with McCarthy, who’s only 23, playing so well, former NFL wide receiver turned CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson asked the question that Giants fans likely don’t want to even think about right now.
“This offense looked really good with him at the helm,” Burleson stated. “He continues to play this way, the offense looks smooth, the Giants play well — should we start having the question in the air who is the quarterback moving forward?
“I’m not talking about this season because Jaxson Dart is out. I’m talking about moving forward because Jaxson Dart, he’s not proven to remain healthy and stay healthy. Is it too early? Is it too soon? Is it OK to have this conversation?”
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and current CBS Sports analyst Bill Cowher immediately replied that it’s way too early to even be discussing sticking with McCarthy and trading Dart.
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“They both have the same skillset,” Cowher replied. “Ideally, if you can have these two young men as your quarterbacks going into next year (it’s ideal). If somebody (wants the job) they can take it. If somebody falls, then you go to the other guy.
“If a guy is playing well, you let him play. But if all of a sudden you need a spark on your team and you don’t have to change your offense to ideally have another guy who’s behind him that has got the same skillset, that works out ideally for your football team.”
Though it may be too early to even consider, Burleson’s question is an intriguing one.
McCarthy is only four months older than Dart, he’s on his rookie contract for one more season (with an affordable fifth-year option a possibility), and he’s gelled instantly with the offense, particularly developing a strong rapport with top WR Malik Nabers.
However, Dart is a fan favorite among the Giants faithful, has more upside as a runner, and he’s on his rookie contract for a year longer than McCarthy is.
Dart would likely fetch the better return in a trade, but the Giants offense is currently built around Dart as its centerpiece. In a perfect world, one would think the Giants flip McCarthy for a Day 2 draft pick in the offseason and roll with Dart as their starter in 2027.