Harbaugh says he has not discussed McCarthy trade with Giants starter Winston

Jameis Winston owns the lowest passer rating among qualifying NFL quarterbacks as J.J. McCarthy arrives, and the Giants host Arizona on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants' acquisition of quarterback J.J. McCarthy has reshaped the conversation around their quarterback position, and head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Wednesday that he has not sat down with starter Jameis Winston to talk through what the move means. Asked directly, Harbaugh answered no. New York enters the week at 2-1.

McCarthy has been positioned to take over under center at some point, and that timeline could accelerate if Winston's performance does not improve Sunday afternoon against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. For now, Winston remains the starter as the newcomer settles in.

Winston rejected any suggestion that the trade adds urgency to his situation, saying his obligation to give New York a chance to win exists no matter who else is on the roster. The numbers work against him, though: his 22.9 passer rating ranks last among the league's 30 qualifying quarterbacks this season.

Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Thursday that Winston has technical flaws to correct, such as keeping a wide base and finishing his delivery so catches are easier for receivers, while acknowledging context. Winston was pressed into duty in Week 2 and dealt with rain and wind in Week 3, and Nagy pointed to a few low throws over the middle plus one pass that was tipped, adding that Winston himself would not cite weather as an excuse.

Winston bristled Wednesday at having his ability questioned, coming off a win over the Titans in which he did not commit a turnover. He argued that observers were startled by how his team won because they associate him with huge yardage totals and interceptions, and he insisted he is capable of making every throw while defining his job as maximizing the team's chances to win.

Nagy said the ultimate measure is reaching the end zone, and that scoring touchdowns would both lift confidence and quiet the questions surrounding Winston's hold on the job. He voiced strong trust in the veteran and said players and coaches throughout the building support him.

The organization moved quickly to land a passer after Jaxson Dart's injury and after the offense sputtered with Winston during the game in Los Angeles. Veteran tight end Chris Manhertz told the outlet the locker room sees the trade as sound roster management rather than a signal about Winston, noting that everyone competes weekly, contingency plans are necessary, and Dart's absence left a depth void the move was expected to fill.

Choosing a young developmental quarterback over an experienced backup is still a curious fit with the club's original vision for 2026, yet the team is proceeding, and Winston has welcomed the chance to mentor McCarthy. The pair stretched side by side at the conclusion of McCarthy's first practice Wednesday, and Winston described the newcomer as curious and eager to be great.

How quickly McCarthy can be ready for game action is the open question. Nagy said he, senior assistant Greg Roman and the offensive staff are trimming a heavy volume of material for McCarthy to absorb, that standards and expectations must remain fair to everyone involved, and that the focus on McCarthy should not overshadow the time being invested in Winston and backup Jake Haener.