Good morning, New York Giants fans! Here are the stories you need to know as the Giants get set to travel to Houston to face the Texans this Sunday.
> It was immediately evident that the coaching staff viewed McCarthy’s legs as an asset. Even as he was cramming to learn the playbook, the coaches installed quarterback-run packages for McCarthy.
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> McCarthy’s scrambles will be a bonus. The true value of having him under center is that he will allow the Giants to reincorporate the quarterback-run elements that were a pillar of their offensive identity with Dart. Even though McCarthy isn’t as effective as Dart as a rusher, defenses will at least need to respect the quarterback as a running threat again. That should open lanes on zone reads, which are desperately needed as the offensive line and running backs have struggled.
> In a quest to rediscover his game with the Giants, J.J. McCarthy has also found his voice.
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> Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spearheaded the challenge of creating a player-driven offense centered around the diversified skill set of Jaxson Dart, and what the Giants developed in terms of identity and influence lasted one game and seven snaps.
> No big announcement. No detailed explanation of why, why now and what it all means.
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> The Giants reported to work Wednesday, the game plan was put out there and that was when the players learned what the two quarterbacks involved were told a day earlier: It is J.J. McCarthy in, Jameis Winston out.
> **What would the Giants have to see from McCarthy to give him a legit shot to compete for the starting QB job in 2027?** This is among my favorite topics because of how heated people get over the hypothetical world where Dart loses his job. He is the starting quarterback for New York. The Giants plan for him to be their starting quarterback the next decade-plus. They love the player. They love the person more. Top to bottom they believe in him. Dart is a major reason Harbaugh took this job.
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> McCarthy would need to go on a truly remarkable run over these next 12 weeks/11 games to shake that up. Play like a top-10 quarterback in the NFL during that stretch. Lead the Giants to double-digit victories. Secure the NFC East. Then, in my opinion, get the Giants to (at least) the NFC Championship, or at the minimum, not be the reason they lose in the divisional round. I understand how much fans believe in and love Dart, but if McCarthy can do all that, you’re probably willing to move forward with what’s working, no?
> **17\. New York Giants (no change).** The Giants went into last week without right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, and then sat left tackle Andrew Thomas for the final 25 snaps of the loss to the New Orleans Saints after being checked for a concussion. Rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa was the only player to secure a PFF pass-blocking grade below 65.0, coming in at 33.0. Further, the Giants struggled to get much room in the run game, with their running backs rushing for just 34 yards on 14 carries.
> **8\. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants.** Not that long ago, Cam Skattebo would have ranked far higher on this list. After showing some flashes as a rookie, the 2025 fourth-rounder entered Year 2 as the lead back for a young and exciting Giants offense.Many expected a breakout 2026 season from Skattebo, but his ball-security struggles have complicated that outlook.
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> Ball security hasn’t been his only concern; his rushing efficiency has also declined. In five starts as a rookie, he had two games with at least 100 total yards, scored five touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. In six games this year, Skattebo has one 100-yard performance and one touchdown while averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Ball security has also been a concern, and he received no touches in Week 6.
> **Giants get: DT Dalvin Tomlinson, 2028 seventh-round pick Chargers get: 2028 sixth-round pick.** Another veteran reserve for the Chargers who could be on the move between now and the deadline, Tomlinson would be coming full circle after starting his career in New York. The well-traveled defensive tackle isn’t the interior disrupter we saw earlier in his career, but Tomlinson is also only two years removed from an 18-knockdown season with the Browns in 2024. He’s a pending free agent with Los Angeles and due $2.1 million over the rest of 2026.
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> The Giants started the season thin on the interior after trading away Dexter Lawrence II and losing Roy Robertson-Harris to a torn Achilles. New York has gotten by through adding veterans such as Shelby Harris and DJ Reader, and Tomlinson would be another defensive tackle in that vein. The only Giants DT with a sack this season is CJ Okoye, so even a modest contribution from Tomlinson while playing about 35-40% of the defensive snaps would go a long way.
> **Trade Candidate: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux.** It would be hard to do if the Giants stay in contention because of the season-ending injury to Brian Burns, but Thibodeaux is still their most valuable trade chip — a young pass rusher with an expiring contract. He hasn’t been the same since he had 11.5 sacks in 2023, and hasn’t had any in the last 11 games. He’s been mostly a non-factor on the Giants’ defense this season. Surely someone who needs pass-rushing help sees his talent and believes they can untap whatever is left of his potential.
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