Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy prepares J.J. McCarthy for first start

New York – Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said the Giants are regaining playbook options after rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy earned his first start against the Houston Texans. Nagy estimated that the team lost roughly 30 percent of its dual-threat quarterback packages when Jaxson Dart was injured and Jameis Winston took over, but believes McCarthy’s recent showing has restored a portion of that loss.

“Maybe now 20 percent of that 30 that was gone is back,” Nagy told reporters before Thursday’s practice. “We don’t want to be predictable. Now that he’s the starter, it probably benefits us that he’s just not always coming in to do predictable QB-driven runs.”

McCarthy, acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in late September, posted 243 passing yards and three scoring drives in the fourth quarter of a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, nearly rallying the Giants from a 24-point deficit. Nagy said the performance convinced the coaching staff that McCarthy is ready for a larger role.

“Just the confidence of him being able to, in practice, talk to us about the scheme, where his eyes are going in the pass game… If there was a shoestring with Jameis or he got hurt, he could go in and function,” Nagy added. “Last week, it was probably 90 percent. Now this week, it’s going to be 100 percent.”

Tight end Isaiah Likely emphasized the need for the offense to make McCarthy comfortable, while wide receiver Malik Nabers said his focus is simply to get open and trust the quarterback’s decisions. The Giants hope the rookie’s ability to run the no-huddle and manage a full game will help stabilize a quarterback carousel that has seen three different starters in the first weeks of the season.

“We would not have had the discussion if we didn’t think he could do it,” Nagy said. “We fully feel as a staff that quarterback coach Brian Callahan has done an amazing job working with him and getting him ready. We feel confident about it.”