Harbaugh Weighs Giants Quarterback Change After Saints Loss

The New York Giants are reconsidering their quarterback plans after a 34-27 defeat to the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Head coach John Harbaugh is evaluating whether J.J. McCarthy should replace Jameis Winston as the starter for Week 7, while the team's ineffective running game has also raised questions about its backfield rotation.

The Giants led 10-0 before surrendering 34 consecutive points and committing four turnovers. McCarthy entered in the fourth quarter with New York trailing 34-10, throwing for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception in 11-of-21 passing as the team mounted a late comeback.

Winston, making his fourth consecutive start in place of the injured Jaxson Dart, completed 14 of 26 passes for 152 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. According to NFL.com, Winston has completed 90 of 158 passes for 957 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions this season, with a 2-1-1 record in his starts.

Harbaugh said Monday that the decision remained under consideration as the coaching staff assessed which quarterback could best help the team move the ball, score and protect possession.

"We're working through that now," Harbaugh said, describing the process as "honing in on a decision."

The coach said the central consideration was "what gives us the best chance to win the football game at this given time," along with the ability to "move the ball, score points, protect the football, etc."

Harbaugh added, "Whatever it is that furthers us and helps us, that's what we want to do."

Although he praised Winston's contributions, Harbaugh acknowledged that McCarthy had only recently joined the Giants after being acquired from Minnesota in September. The coaching staff is still working to build an offense that suits the newcomer.

"Jameis has done a great job in so many ways. I just admire and respect him for it. He's helped us win games and did what he had to do to win games, and that's something you value very much," Harbaugh said.

He also explained, "J.J. just got here a couple weeks ago, and where do we stand? We're trying to put an offense together that he's got a feel for and those kind of things." Harbaugh said, "All those things are things you factor in."

After Sunday's game, Harbaugh had declined to immediately announce a change, saying, "I can't answer that now." He also said the issue was "not even up for discussion or conversation right now," adding that he had "no problem with Jameis whatsoever."

On Monday, he acknowledged that the situation differed from a normal quarterback competition because the team's original starter was unavailable. He said, "In this situation that we're in, it's a little different than a normal quarterback situation."

McCarthy's performance offered a compelling alternative after he directed three scoring drives in the fourth quarter. His average of 14.9 air yards per attempt and 17.2 air yards per completion were the highest recorded by a quarterback with at least 20 dropbacks in a game this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

Despite the rally, McCarthy emphasized that the loss remained disappointing. "I'm not pleased when you lose," McCarthy said, adding that he needed to review the game footage and identify areas for improvement.

Harbaugh praised the quarterback's response under pressure, saying, "I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances." The coach also described the comeback as a different kind of football situation, noting that McCarthy made plays and gave the Giants an opportunity to win late.

The Giants' running game remains another major concern. New York managed only 84 rushing yards against New Orleans, and Harbaugh said the unit had failed to execute at the required level.

"The running game Sunday simply was not very good, not very good," Harbaugh said.

Four running backs—Najee Harris, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary—were active as the team searched for a productive combination. Skattebo did not record a carry despite being available, prompting questions about his role after several fumbles this season.

Harbaugh said the coaching staff had rotated the backs to identify who could generate momentum. "Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns," he said, explaining that Singletary had also been given an opportunity to contribute.

The coach clarified that Skattebo's lack of carries was not a deliberate punishment. The game situation changed after New York fell behind, leading the offense to shift toward a no-huddle approach and its usual third-down personnel.

"It wasn't by design for him not to carry the ball," Harbaugh said. "Just when he was in there, we didn't call any runs."

Harbaugh said the team needed a running back to establish himself as the primary option, while also acknowledging defensive shortcomings against the Saints. New York struggled to contain the run, limit quarterback scrambles and execute consistently in coverage.

The Giants entered the game after winning their previous three contests and remained in first place at 3-2-1 following the loss, according to NFL.com. Their Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans, who were 2-4, was scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern time in Houston. Practice allocations on Wednesday were expected to provide the next indication of the quarterback decision.