The New York Giants were in need of a quarterback with Jaxson Dart sidelined and found an answer in J.J. McCarthy, who was previously with the Minnesota Vikings. The young quarterback gets a fresh start, but it also complicates the position of veteran QB and current QB1 Jameis Winston, who is holding down the fort in Dart’s absence.

However, Winston is looking forward to having McCarthy on the team.

“My initial reaction was, I’m having another young bud that I’m willing to groom, willing to serve,” Winston said of McCarthy on The Jameis Winston Show. “But I’m also gonna be preparing even more. Because he’s a young guy with a bright future, that’s come in him to think that this is his. And I want him to think that. 

“I want him to come in with that confidence because sometimes these young quarterbacks, they need fresh starts. Like, they need to be in a new building; they need to be in a new situation.”

This trade can work wonders for McCarthy. He was pushed down the depth chart in Minnesota after the team brought on Kyler Murray (now QB1 of the Vikings) and re-signed Carson Wentz this year. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to an injury and played only 10 games last year as starter, was looking at a long season on the bench. But at New York, things change.

Dart will not return this season. Winston, as loved as he is by fans of all teams, can falter on the field. If the Giants find themselves backed against a wall yet again, perhaps McCarthy could hope for some playing time.

Winston is also 32 years old and is playing his 12th season this year. He’d boldly said earlier that he plans to play for another 12, but it is pretty evident that might not be the case. That leaves room for McCarthy to grow.

But it’s all love for Winston. He’s also open to training with him.

“Hey man, tell you what, if he’s attracted to it, I’m open,” he said on Wednesday, about McCarthy possibly joining his workout routine. “I’m open. What I want for myself, I want for everyone. So, if he wants to join the routine, he’s definitely welcome.”

However, for as long as Winston remains the starter, he will have to deliver with McCarthy waiting in the wings. The senior QB has posted a total of 229 yards on 25 completed passes, zero scores, one interception, and five sacks. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before from the QB. But Winston is committed to doing better.

“I feel challenged to get better every single day,” Winston told the reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “I just think that’s the makeup of who I am as a person and always looking for ways to build on the positives and eliminate the negatives. No matter the circumstances, condition, or facts, my mind is on what my heart desires, and that’s to be a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.” 

However, Winston also acknowledged that at the end of the day, his job is to help the Giants claim another victory. After watching McCarthy practice with the Giants for the first time, Winston noticed his curiosity and desire to make a mark in New York. 

“I’m happy to have anyone that’s my teammate,” Winston told the media of his first impression of the 23-year-old quarterback. “But he’s curious. He wants to be great. I think anybody that gets the opportunity to come to a new organization with a fresh start wants to make an impact.”  

But for now, the Giants and Winston have to prepare harder for the Cardinals game. After all, John Harbaugh confirmed that Jameis Winston will be the starting quarterback for the team on Sunday. Whether he lives up to the expectations around him is left to be seen.