J.J. McCarthy’s next big NFL audition is happening in New Jersey, and the former Vikings first-round pick says he’s better equipped for it now than he was when his career first got moving.
McCarthy is set to make his first start for the Giants on Sunday against the Texans, and the opportunity could open the door to an 11-game stretch for him to show what he can do. Drafted 10th overall in 2024 to be Minnesota’s quarterback, McCarthy now gets a fresh runway with a new team and a chance to get back in front of the league.
On Wednesday, McCarthy described the move to the first team as “a chance to prove yourself” and said the lessons he picked up in Minnesota have left him in a stronger spot than when he stepped in as the Vikings’ starter last season.
He said the 10 starts he made between injuries gave him a better feel for “the nature of NFL football” and added that experience should help him handle things more cleanly this time around.
“I believe just experience does wonders,” McCarthy said, via a transcript from the team. “Being able to be in that same situation where you might have made a mistake the last time, this time you’re just going to react better and make a more well-rounded response decision in that situation. Just being around great talent and great coaches, absolutely love everyone on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball does a tremendous job of just giving us opportunities and always making sure we stay in the game and fight to the last seconds of each game.”
The Giants still have Jaxson Dart as their long-term quarterback plan, but McCarthy’s immediate job is clear: make the most of the opening in front of him. If he plays well, there should be interest, and a chance to remind everyone why he went so high in the draft in the first place.
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Lee Corso Update Leaves Ohio State Fans With One Big Concern
Lee Corso has been mostly out of public view since his final College GameDay appearance in 2025, but a recent update from Kirk Herbstreit gave fans a clearer picture of where things stand. Corso, who turned 91 in August, has dealt with several physical ailments, though Herbstreit said his mind remains sharp. For Ohio State fans who spent years seeing Corso bring his famous energy and loyalty to the programs biggest stages, the news is a reminder of how much the longtime ESPN personality meant to Saturdays in Columbus and beyond.
Corso has made only a few public appearances lately, including receiving the Governors Medal of Freedom and spending time at events with former colleagues. Even so, the latest comments leave one lingering concern for Buckeyes fans who have followed him for decades: how much more of him theyll get to see in public going forward. His presence has always been larger than life, and while the voice and personality are still there, the physical side of his health remains the part to watch. [Read more 🡒]
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One name that makes sense in that mix is Drake Lindsey of Minnesota, a potential target whose skill set appears to line up with what Ohio State wants to do. The problem is that the picture around the top quarterback options is getting murkier by the day, with Braden Atkinson expected to stay at Oregon State and rumors tying Arch Manning to a possible move from Texas to Ole Miss, leaving the Buckeyes to navigate a changing board. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fans Just Got Another Reminder About The Future At Receiver
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Browns outing fits the larger picture around Ohio State, where the receiver room keeps producing and the recruiting pipeline keeps humming even through coaching changes. For Buckeyes fans, it is another look at a position group that has long been a program strength, and another sign that the talent coming next could keep that standard intact. [Read more 🡒]