JJ McCarthy 'Ignited the Giants' in Relief vs Saints, Jon Gruden Says

JJ McCarthy has picked up a high-profile supporter. Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden came away impressed by McCarthy's relief appearance for the Giants on Sunday, and he did not hold back about what he wants to see next.

"That guy looked good. ... This kid came in there and ignited the Giants. ... I hope the Giants give him the ball," Gruden said on Wake Up Barstool. His comments were shared by Big Blue Film Room on X.

Gruden also compared McCarthy's situation to those of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, pointing to the idea that a talented quarterback sometimes needs a change of scenery before his career takes off.

What Jon Gruden Saw From JJ McCarthy

Gruden's reaction was built on one afternoon of football. McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston against the New Orleans Saints and threw for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception while nearly pulling off a comeback in a 34-27 loss. Our recap of the Giants vs. Saints game covers how that rally came together and fell short.

The word Gruden chose, "ignited," fits the way McCarthy played. According to PFF, he led every NFL quarterback in Week 6 in both yards per attempt and average depth of target, meaning he was pushing the ball downfield rather than settling for short throws. Malik Nabers noticed it too, as we covered in Malik Nabers Praises JJ McCarthy's Giants Relief Outing.

Gruden's final line is the one that stands out. "I hope the Giants give him the ball" is a direct endorsement of McCarthy as a starter, and it lines up with what NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said in Ian Rapoport: JJ McCarthy's Time Is Coming for the Giants.

Why the Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield Comparison Matters

Gruden's comparison carries weight because of how those two careers played out. Both Darnold and Mayfield were top-three picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, with Mayfield going first overall and Darnold third. Both struggled to find stability with the teams that drafted them, and both went on to play some of their best football after landing in new situations.

That is the heart of the change-of-scenery argument. A quarterback's results are tied to the coaching, scheme and players around him, and a new environment can unlock skills that were always there. Gruden's point is that McCarthy could follow a similar path, with the Giants as the team that benefits.

It is worth being clear about what Gruden did and did not say. He offered an opinion based on what he watched, not inside information about the Giants' plans. His comparison speaks to McCarthy's potential, not a guarantee of how his career will go.

What Gruden's Take Means for McCarthy and the Giants

Opinions from former coaches do not decide depth charts, but they do add to the noise around a team. Gruden is one of the most recognizable voices in football, and his endorsement adds to a growing list of people who believe McCarthy deserves a bigger role.

The real answer will come from the Giants, and it may come soon. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports a decision is expected before the team practices on Wednesday, as we covered in Giants QB Decision Expected Before Wednesday Practice. If McCarthy gets the job, he will have a chance to show that Gruden's faith in him was well placed.

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