Giants Could Expand J.J. McCarthy’s Role on Offense

J.J. McCarthy’s role in the New York Giants’ offense was limited in Sunday’s 27-27 tie against the Washington Commanders, but head coach John Harbaugh made it clear this week that the package used for the 23-year-old may only be the beginning. McCarthy was on the field for five snaps, and Harbaugh suggested Wednesday that the Giants are still evaluating how much more they can get out of him.

Harbaugh described McCarthy as a different look for opposing defenses and said the team has not yet shown everything it could do with him. He explained that whether McCarthy sees more action will depend on game circumstances, but added that the coaching staff is open to anything that could help the Giants improve on offense.

That message fit with Harbaugh’s broader point about roster usage. He said the Giants have a responsibility to explore every possible way to use the players available to them and would be doing themselves a disservice if they failed to look for opportunities that might help them win. In that sense, McCarthy’s small role against Washington may have been less of a one-off experiment and more of an early step in a larger plan.

Even in a short appearance, McCarthy’s snaps offered a glimpse of what the Giants may want from him. One play resulted in a screen pass to Malik Nabers, though it was wiped out by a penalty. On three other plays, the offense leaned on the threat of McCarthy’s mobility, using his running ability as a way to try to energize a ground attack that has struggled in recent weeks.

Looking for a spark in the run game

The Giants’ rushing attack opened the season on a strong note in their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, when Jaxson Dart was in the lineup. Since Dart went down with an injury, that part of the offense has not been nearly as effective. McCarthy’s skill set appears to offer one possible answer, especially if the coaching staff believes his presence can create hesitation from defenders and open lanes for the running game.

That does not mean a quarterback change is coming. Jameis Winston has been the starter since Dart was sidelined, and the results have been steady. The Giants are 2-0-1 with Winston in that stretch, and in four games overall, including three starts in relief of Dart, he has completed 57.6% of his passes for 805 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions.

Just as important, Winston has looked more comfortable in the offense with each passing week. His growing command of the system gives the Giants some stability at quarterback, which makes it easier for the coaching staff to carve out a situational role for McCarthy rather than asking him to take on too much too soon.

What it could mean against New Orleans

When the Giants face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, McCarthy could again be used in select situations. With New York still trying to find more consistency on the ground, a handful of designed snaps for him would make sense, especially if the goal is to create a change of pace without disrupting Winston’s rhythm.

For now, Harbaugh’s comments point less to a major offensive overhaul and more to an ongoing search for answers. McCarthy is not yet a central figure in the Giants’ attack, but the coaching staff clearly sees enough potential in his package to keep exploring it. If the Giants can turn that limited role into a useful wrinkle, McCarthy may soon become a more noticeable part of their weekly game plan.