New York Giants Name J.J. McCarthy Starter as Head Coach John Harbaugh Invokes Tom Brady in Analogy

J.J. McCarthy is set to make his first career start for the New York Giants in Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans, head coach John Harbaugh announced this week. The decision follows McCarthy’s relief appearance in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, where he replaced Jameis Winston and threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter while leading three scoring drives. The Giants acquired McCarthy via trade last month following a season-ending injury to Jaxson Dart.

While discussing the young quarterback’s development and his transition into the starting role, Harbaugh offered an unexpected analogy involving retired seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Harbaugh used Brady to emphasize the time required for any signal-caller, regardless of pedigree, to master a new offensive playbook.

If Brady decided to come out of retirement, Harbaugh quipped during a Friday media session, he still would not be prepared to start immediately. Harbaugh jokingly challenged the retired quarterback’s potential readiness, stating that even an elite veteran would require an acclamation period.

McCarthy has spent recent weeks digesting the Giants’ offensive scheme after appearing in 10 games last season with the Minnesota Vikings. During the 2025 campaign—his first active year following a rookie season wiped out by injury—McCarthy completed 140 of 243 passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Harbaugh noted that the coaching staff expanded the team’s playbook to 90 percent for McCarthy prior to last week’s game against the Saints. Operationally, the offensive coaching staff plans to tailor the scheme to accentuate McCarthy’s mobility and ability to make plays outside of the pocket.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy expressed confidence in the quarterback’s preparation, praising quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan for his work with McCarthy. Nagy indicated that the coaching staff’s primary objective for Sunday is to keep play calls manageable as McCarthy steps into the starting lineup.

While Brady remains happily retired, the former quarterback revealed during the spring that he had casually inquired with the NFL about league policies regarding minority owners playing on the field. Brady holds an ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders and participated in advisory decisions for the franchise this offseason, but acknowledged that league officials dismissed the prospect.