QB J.J. McCarthy on making first start at MetLife Stadium: 'I'm so blessed to be a part of this team'

J.J. McCarthy (0:00)

Felt like we had a great practice today. Obviously, a short week. You know, this is the first one for me, and just really impressed with the way Coach Harbaugh has handled going about, you know, these Thursday night games. And, you know, the guys are prepped, ready to go, and we're going to continue to just keep preparing until, you know, Thursday night comes. But I'll open up to any questions.

SPEAKER_2 (0:18)

You feel good about the play on Thursday night?

J.J. McCarthy (0:19)

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_2 (0:21)

How are you feeling moving around and stuff like that compared to what you felt Sunday during the game?

J.J. McCarthy (0:26)

Yeah, I feel really good. Obviously, Sunday, you know, it's football, it's a physical game, but, you know, just credit to the athletic training staff and getting me back to feeling really good as quick as possible.

SPEAKER_3 (0:35)

Did you come out of Sunday and when you get back up here with a plan for yourself, knowing how much you would have to do to make sure you're feeling your best on Thursday?

J.J. McCarthy (0:45)

Yes, sir. That's every week. You know, just being able to have a great team around me, so blessed, so fortunate, you know, here and outside of the facility, and, you know, adapts every week to the aches and pains. And, you know, I felt like we did a really good job so far, and we got to continue.

SPEAKER_4 (1:00)

JJ., obviously, when you made that throw on the sideline, looked like you were in a ton of pain. Why was it important for you to get back out there in that game, knowing you had a game on Thursday, too, maybe that you could have been resting up for?

J.J. McCarthy (1:13)

The importance is to be out there as much as I possibly can. You know, no matter what happens, no matter what narratives, you know, one can draw up. It's being out there with my brothers and doing whatever I can to help the team be successful.

SPEAKER_3 (1:26)

JJ., have you thought about what it's gonna be like for you to run in that stadium for the first time as a starting quarterback of the Giants?

J.J. McCarthy (1:34)

I haven't thought about it until now, but, you know, I'm just so blessed to be a part of this team. You know, I say it over and over again, and, you know, I just can't, you know, thank the Giants organization and the fan base, you know, for welcoming me. And, you know, at the end of the day, it's running out there to do my job at a high level and go get a win on Thursday night. That's the only thing I care about. So, just being able to embrace that, soak it up. But at the end of the day, it's about that first play.

SPEAKER_3 (1:59)

You need to control the emotions. God, you're early, right? You want to take your head and everything. Do you allow the emotions at some point before the game get to you, or do you let it just kind of flow the way it goes?

J.J. McCarthy (2:12)

Well, you have to. You know, in order to really let go of those emotions, you have to accept them, let them be and then let them go. And, you know, just being able to be real with yourself and realize they're human emotions, it's completely natural. That's when you have the ability to let them go and kind of move past them as quick as possible. If you try to avoid them and resist them, then they just tend to linger.

SPEAKER_5 (2:33)

Does it feel like you've still been here for a very short time, or does it feel like you've been here for a while now?

J.J. McCarthy (2:38)

It feels like I've been here for a while. And, you know, I just love every single day just trying to stay as present as possible and, you know, soak up every single moment here.

SPEAKER_3 (2:47)

Have you been following what has been going on with your former team?

J.J. McCarthy (2:51)

To be honest with you, no. I mean, obviously, there's one of the 32 teams out there, but all I'm focused on is Giants and who were playing that week.

SPEAKER_3 (3:01)

Take a look at the game last night.

J.J. McCarthy (3:03)

I heard, yes, I heard about the game, but, you know, at the end of the day, you know, those are my former brothers and a lot of relationships that, you know, I still have to this day. And I wish them nothing but the best. But at the end of the day, all I'm focused on is watching the commanders.