Ian Rapoport: JJ McCarthy's Time Is Coming for the Giants

The Giants' quarterback situation is heating up, and one of the NFL's most connected insiders believes JJ McCarthy is about to get his shot. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport weighed in on McCarthy's future with the team, and his message was clear.

"One thing we know for sure: McCarthy's time is coming," Rapoport said. "Whether it's this week. Whether it's next week." Rapoport's comments were shared by Big Blue Film Room on X.

The timing matters. John Harbaugh could make a decision on who starts at quarterback as early as Monday, Oct. 19, which means the Giants may not wait long to settle the question.

Why JJ McCarthy Is in the Giants' Starting QB Conversation

McCarthy forced his way into the conversation with what he did on Sunday. He came on in relief of Jameis Winston against the New Orleans Saints and finished with 243 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, nearly leading a Giants comeback in a 34-27 loss. Our recap of the Giants vs. Saints game has the full picture.

The advanced numbers were even more eye-catching. According to PFF, McCarthy led every NFL quarterback in Week 6 in both yards per attempt, at 11.6, and average depth of target, at more than 16 yards. We broke that down in Giants QB JJ McCarthy Led All QBs in Week 6, per PFF.

His teammates noticed too. Malik Nabers had high praise for the quarterback after the game, saying, "I think he did a great job," as we covered in Malik Nabers Praises JJ McCarthy's Giants Relief Outing.

What Ian Rapoport's Comments Tell Us

Rapoport did not say exactly when McCarthy would take over, and the wording is important. "Whether it's this week. Whether it's next week" points to the direction he expects things to go rather than a set date. Insiders like Rapoport talk regularly with people around the league, so when one of them describes a move as a matter of when, not if, it tends to get attention.

Still, the final call belongs to the Giants. Head coaches weigh many factors when choosing a starting quarterback, from practice performance and command of the offense to how a player handles pressure in games. One strong relief appearance is a big data point, but it is not the only one a coaching staff considers.

What Comes Next for the Giants at Quarterback

All eyes now turn to Harbaugh. If he makes his decision as early as Monday, the Giants will have the rest of the week to build their game plan around their choice. Practice reps are usually tilted heavily toward the starter, so settling the position early in the week would give whoever wins the job as much preparation time as possible.

For McCarthy, the opportunity appears closer than it has been all season. Whether the change comes this week or next, Rapoport's comments make one thing plain: the young quarterback's strong showing against the Saints has put him squarely in line for a bigger role with the Giants.

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