The New York Giants have found a way to stay competitive despite losing the quarterback they expected to lead them this season. Their latest solution has produced encouraging results, but questions remain about how much they can rely on it.

With Washington coming to MetLife Stadium for a divisional rematch, former NFL MVP Boomer Esiason wants to see more from the Giants’ new quarterback before buying into the turnaround.

Boomer Esiason Questions J.J. McCarthy Ahead of Giants-Commanders Rematch

Speaking on WFAN Sports Radio, Esiason discussed the challenges awaiting J.J. McCarthy in Thursday night’s matchup, particularly with a rainy Nor’easter expected at MetLife Stadium. While he acknowledged the quarterback’s progress since arriving in New York, Esiason stopped short of declaring himself convinced.

“Now the question will be, what is the weather going to look like tonight, and how is J.J. McCarthy, from the Giants’ perspective, going to handle that weather?” Esiason said.

He also pointed to McCarthy’s ability to avoid turnovers as an important part of New York’s recent success. However, the former quarterback wants to see that approach continue against Washington, especially with the division race becoming more important.

“And again, I’m not sold on J.J. yet. I’m happy to see what he’s doing. I appreciate all the things that he is saying,” Esiason added.

McCarthy’s arrival was hardly part of New York’s original plan, a team that ranks in the bottom half of PFN NFL Offense Impact%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.). The Giants built their first season under John Harbaugh around Jaxson Dart, but a knee injury in Week 2 that ended Dart’s regular season forced the coaching staff to reconsider its options.

Dart’s season-ending knee injury forced New York to add another quarterback. The Giants acquired McCarthy from Minnesota on September 28 for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Winston initially took over as starter, but his later inconsistency helped open the door for McCarthy to move atop the depth chart.

The move gave McCarthy another opportunity after he lost Minnesota’s starting job to Kyler Murray. Harbaugh also had a connection to the quarterback through his brother Jim, under whom McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan.

Esiason described the decision as a gamble that has worked so far, although he believes New York needs more evidence before treating McCarthy as a dependable answer.

“I think this was a shot in the dark by John Harbaugh to save the season, and so far, so good. But I want to see more. I want to see more consistency,” he said.

McCarthy has appeared in four games for the Giants, completing 43 of 68 passes for 622 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His best outing came against Houston, when he completed 20 of 28 attempts for 252 yards without a turnover in a 27-21 overtime win. In the 2025 NFL season, McCarthy ranked No. 34 in PFN’s QB Impact metric with a grade of 66.1.

He also helped New York beat Philadelphia 19-11, despite taking 5 sacks and briefly leaving with an injury.

Esiason believes protecting the football must remain McCarthy’s priority. “I don’t want to see turnovers. Stay away from the turnovers, which he’s done thus far, and if he continues to do that, then the Giants have the inside track, of course, in the NFC East title,” he said.

The Giants enter the rematch at 5-2-1, while Washington sits at 2-5-1. Their previous meeting ended in a 27-27 overtime tie, making Thursday’s result important for the division race.