JJ McCarthy steps up as Giants potential starting quarterback while running back Cam Skattebo sits on bench
About the only time anyone saw New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo on Sunday was in a State Farm commercial, in the locker room afterward or on the same bench we also saw quarterback Jameis Winston, who spent the fourth quarter as a backup while J.J. McCarthy led a rally.
So, yes, coach John Harbaugh had just about had it with some of his guys, both early and late on Sunday.
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The Giants’ coach benched Skattebo, even though he said he didn’t. Skattebo got in the game but didn’t carry the football, perhaps because he’s fumbled four times and lost one this season.
J.J. McCarthy No. 18 of the New York Giants warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 4, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Harbaugh also benched Winston in the fourth quarter after he’d thrown two interceptions and was mostly ineffective.
And now we’ve got issues to sort out because the Giants may be looking at a new starting quarterback, while Skattebo has to work his way back into his coach’s good graces by playing better.
“How they play is kind of the main thing,” Harbaugh said.
May 9, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) speaks to members of the press after rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. (John Jones-Imagn Images)
What did Harbaugh get for his lineup changes?
The Giants run game was 84 yards of forgettable New Jersey mileage. But the team got McCarthy to strongly state his case for being the starting quarterback going forward. So …
Welcome to Harbaugh’s doghouse, Cam Skattebo.
Welcome to a possible leading role in the shadow of Broadway, J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy played well in throwing for 243 yards in the final 11 minutes of the game and helping to erase a 34-10 deficit in a tough 34-27 loss.
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“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances,” Harbaugh said.
And this is what Harbaugh didn’t say: That Winston will remain the starter for the next game.
Head coach John Harbaugh of the New York Giants reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Getty Images)
“I can’t answer that now,” Harbaugh said. “Game just ended 10 minutes ago.”
The New York media pressed Harbaugh on the subject. And the coach pushed back.
“Just like I said, I can’t answer it now,” he repeated. “It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now. We got to go back and go to work. I mean, I have no problem with Jameis whatsoever. I love the way he competes, love the way he fights. All those kind of things.”
You didn’t hear it, either, did you? He didn’t say Winston remains the starter.
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This is good news for McCarthy, who was traded to the Giants from the Vikings last month.
“I’m not pleased when you lose,” McCarthy said. “At the end of the day, no matter what happens, we try to get that 1-0 win each and every week, and I’ve got to look back at the tape and find ways to get better.”
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 9, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
The Giants have a lot of improving they need to do with their running game. And that definitely is a competition right now as four running backs – Najee Harris, Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary – vie for playing time and carries.
“Nobody’s really taken the bull by the horns,” Harbaugh said of his running backs. “… So we put four guys [active] and see if we can get something going with the running game. That was the idea.
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“It wasn’t by design for [Skattebo] to not carry the ball. When he was in there, we didn’t call any runs.”
And this: “One of those guys needs to step up,” Harbaugh said. “One of those guys needs to step up and be the back.”
The Giants need a running back to step up, which is something we may have seen Sunday from a new starting quarterback.
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