J.J. McCarthy was traded from the Minnesota Vikings to the New York Giants as the backup's backup. Many believed McCarthy wouldn't see the field, playing behind Jameis Winston. However, McCarthy would get his number called on Sunday, coming in for Winston, and boy did he put on a show.
McCarthy would go 11/21 with a staggering 243 passing yards to go with one touchdown and one interception. The yards? The most in the fourth quarter all season long. The interception? That came on just his fourth pass attempt of the game:
JJ McCarthy throws an interception on his 4th pass attempt today pic.twitter.com/wiTkQbn46h
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 18, 2026
The throw, in McCarthy fashion, was well off target, resulting in the turnover. It's hard to ignore the uptick in passing yards once McCarthy came in, and what the offense could look like with him as the starter. McCarthy's yardage in the fourth quarter could warrant consideration to take over as the starter heading into next week's matchup with the Houston Texans.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Watch: J.J. McCarthy makes debut with the Giants in Week 6