Giants Name J.J. McCarthy Starting Quarterback for Texans Game The New York Giants are switching from Jameis Winston to J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. Coach John Harbaugh said McCarthy will start Sunday against the Houston Texans. The New York Giants are switching starting quarterbacks, naming J.J. McCarthy the starter for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Coach John Harbaugh made the announcement Wednesday, one day after McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston in a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. McCarthy took over in the fourth quarter Sunday with the Giants trailing 34-10 and sparked a rally that fell just short. He threw for 243 yards, but his final pass on fourth-and-1 from the 14-yard line with 12 seconds left was incomplete, ending the Giants' last chance to win. Harbaugh said the decision is about giving the team its best chance to succeed. He said, What gives us the best chance to be our best?McCarthy Makes Quarterback ChangeGives us the best chance to play the best offense we can? He added, I thought Jameis has done a tremendous job. Won us games, played well. But as we go forward here, this is going to be our direction.The move makes McCarthy the Giants' third starting quarterback in seven games. Winston had taken over for Jaxson Dart, who suffered a knee injury in Week 2. Winston went 2-1-1 in four starts, including a three-touchdown, no-interception performance in a tie against the Commanders, but he threw two interceptions against the Saints. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 draft, was acquired by the Giants less than three weeks ago for a fifth-round pick.He was a bust in Minnesota, sitting on the bench before the trade. He missed his rookie year with a torn meniscus in his knee, then went 6-4 with 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season as he was in and out of the lineup with injuries. Kyler Murray won the starting job in Minnesota this year. McCarthy said he feels comfortable with his new team.He said, I feel like just being around a new group of guys, new system, new coaching staff, just a new culture. Everything about this place, it feels very fitting for me. He called the last few weeks a whirlwind and is hopeful his time in Minnesota serves him well. Harbaugh would not say the move is permanent for the rest of the season, but he said, That's the plan going forward.Giants Offense Stays Mostly SameHe also said, J.J.'s got a skill set that we can take advantage of, and we're excited to see what we can do with it. The offense will be mostly the same, but the Giants will likely return to some plays used with Dart to take advantage of McCarthy's mobility, which resembles Dart's. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney said, He's not Dart. He's J.J.Harbaugh said the concepts and blocking schemes remain the same. He said, It's not going to be a big adjustment for the rest of the guys. He added, I'm not going to say it's not a work in progress - everything is a work in progress. I'm not going to say it would be like having your starting quarterback from the beginning; it's definitely different.But it can be done. He also said the bye week was never a factor in the decision. This will be McCarthy's first start since Week 18 with the Vikings last season. It will also be a return to Houston's Reliant Stadium, where he led Michigan to a win in the national championship game in 2024.McCarthy Faces Houston DefenseHouston features a defense designed by head coach DeMeco Ryans. McCarthy said he approaches every opportunity the same way. He said, I believe just experience does wonders. ...Every time you step on the field, it's an opportunity. Whether you're the starting guy, whether you're not, you have a chance to prove yourself, prove it to your peers, and prove it to everyone around you. And at the end of the day, I approach it the same way. Harbaugh said the team has goals and is ready for the challenge.He said, We're trying to take it as far as we can and win as many games as we can. We've got goals, and we're excited to go play this game. But we're up for it. Up for the challenge, and we can't wait to get down there.