J.J. McCarthy May Have Just Stolen Giants' Starting QB Job

The New York Giants' progress was stalled with a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a game in which they trailed 34-10 at one point.

Jameis Winston was benched in favor of J.J. McCarthy late in the game, which was when the Giants actually reeled off 17 straight points and came this close to sending the contest into overtime.

And as much as I hate to say it, it may have marked the end for Winston as New York's starting quarterback.

I love what Winston has done as a leader for this football team, but outside of the fourth quarter and overtime against the Washington Commanders last week, the offense hasn't looked good with Winston under center.

His passion, exuberance and tremendous leadership qualities definitely helped propel the Giants to back-to-back wins and then a tie in Washington, but there is only so long that can last.

At some point, New York will need consistent production out of the quarterback position, and Winston sadly may not be able to provide it.

Enter McCarthy, whom the Giants acquired in a sudden trade last month and had been elevated to the role of backup in Week 5. This time around, however, McCarthy actually earned legitimate playing time.

McCarthy completed just 11 of 21 passes, but he threw for 243 yards and a touchdown while actually looking very poised throughout New York's comeback attempt.

Yes, the 23-year-old threw an interception very early, but he bounced back with a very strong finish, and it may have earned him a start against the Houston Texans next week.

It's a scary proposition seeing as how the Giants will be playing on the road versus a Texans squad that seems to be finding its groove. Not only that, but Houston boasts a fierce pass rush led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson. The Texans' secondary, spearheaded by Derek Stingley Jr., is no joke, either.

But can John Harbaugh really send McCarthy back to the bench after what we just saw?

I will say that the Texans don't exactly comprise a safe landing zone for McCarthy, so it is possible that Harbaugh rolls with the veteran Winston for one more week. And if things go incredibly south for Winston early, then maybe he will turn back to McCarthy.

Regardless, a permanent switch under center feels inevitable, especially when you consider when McCarthy can bring to the Giants' struggling rushing attack (he actually led Big Blue with 26 rushing yards on just two carries against the Saints).

It appears to be only a matter of time before McCarthy usurps Winston, and it may have already happened.