The Giants Gave Up a Fifth-Round Pick For J.J. McCarthy, And His Role Is a Total Mystery

J.J. McCarthy is finally out there on the practice field with the New York Giants, hitting the turf for the first time since that trade from Minnesota. You’d think after giving up a fifth-round pick, the guy would have a clear path, right? Wrong. His role for this weekend, and honestly, moving forward, is totally up in the air.

What’s The Plan For McCarthy After That Trade?

Coach John Harbaugh has been crystal clear: Jameis Winston is the starter this Sunday against Arizona. No debate there. But the real question, the one everyone in New York is screaming about, is how long Winston actually holds onto that job. The Giants haven’t even told us if McCarthy or practice squad QB Jake Haener is gonna be the backup for the Cardinals game. Seriously? They dropped a fifth-round pick after Jaxson Dart and linebacker Brian Burns both went down with season-ending knee injuries, so you *know* the coaching staff and front office are betting big on McCarthy to make a difference. Harbaugh himself said Monday, “Very talented player (who) is going to make us a stronger football team. Excited about it. Think it makes us better.” If he’s so talented, why the mystery?

Winston’s Win Didn’t Exactly Spark Confidence

And let’s be real, Winston’s last outing wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire. He went 14 of 22 for 118 yards in a grind-it-out 12-7 win over Tennessee, his first start after Dart got hurt. The Giants barely squeaked by with only 238 total yards and zero touchdowns. ZERO! Rookie kicker Dominic Zvada had to nail four field goals, and then safety Jevon Holland made a clutch pick of Cam Ward in the end zone right at the end to seal it. That’s a win, sure, but it’s not exactly inspiring confidence for the long haul, is it? It makes you wonder what kind of leash Winston is actually on.

So, for the Arizona game, we’re not just watching the Giants play, we’re watching a ticking clock on Winston and an unknown future for McCarthy. Who’s backing up? And how many more games will Winston start before McCarthy gets his shot? The stakes are high for that Giants QB room.

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Originally reported by Fox Sports.