A week and a half after the trade, Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is already giving J.J. McCarthy’s adjustment efforts “an A-plus”, a shocking sign of how quickly the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback is settling into New York’s system. McCarthy, who arrived on September 28, has yet to see any playing time, backing up Jameis Winston, but Nagy’s praise makes it clear the first-round pick is making serious waves behind the scenes.
McCarthy’s Rapid Ascent and What It Means
Nagy, who had previously talked about giving McCarthy time to get up to speed, now says the young signal-caller is “doing really well,” adding that he’s “much further along” than just a week ago. This isn’t just a casual comment either; Nagy pointed to McCarthy’s dedication to learning the new playbook. He gave big props to quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan and offensive quality control coach Mike Snyder for putting in the time with McCarthy and third-string Jake Haener, but also emphasized McCarthy’s own grind. “Proud of him, but this is just the beginning,” Nagy said, while still sticking to that “A-plus right now” grade.
The Giants aren’t just letting McCarthy learn the ropes; they’re already figuring out how to use him. Nagy confirmed they’re actively “building packages around him” and “scoping out where he might fit in on the field,” working towards his strengths. Head coach John Harbaugh even opened the door on Monday for McCarthy to be elevated to backup for Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Washington Commanders. This is a huge vote of confidence for a guy who’s barely been in the building. For a 3-1 squad, having a rapidly developing young QB who can step in is massive, and it looks like New York might just have that.
Malik Nabers’ Frustration Despite Massive Week 4 Numbers
While McCarthy is making a smooth transition, things got a little more complicated for star wide receiver Malik Nabers. In the Giants’ 36-24 Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Nabers absolutely exploded, pulling in six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Those are fantastic numbers, right? Except the Giants only targeted him twice in the entire second half of that game.
Nabers didn’t hold back his frustration on the sidelines, later explaining that he felt his first-half targets led to more explosive gains for the team. Nagy addressed this, confirming he and Nabers have talked about it. While Nagy praised Nabers as “without a doubt one of the most talented players” he’s ever been around, the conversation focused on “making sure” Nabers feels appreciated while still spreading the ball around to other players. It’s a tough balance for any offensive coordinator, especially when you have a talent like Nabers who clearly wants the rock.
The Giants roll into Week 5 with a 3-1 record, facing the Washington Commanders this Sunday. The big question will be whether J.J. McCarthy indeed gets that backup nod and what potential packages we might see built around his strengths. On the other side of the ball, all eyes will be on how Nagy navigates Nabers’ desire for more targets while keeping the rest of the 3-1 Giants offense happy. It’s a fascinating dynamic brewing in New York, and it’ll be must-watch TV to see how it plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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