What happened: Adam Thielen praised J.J. McCarthy following the quarterback's Giants debut. Thielen said McCarthy's performance drew a positive response from teammates in the locker room.

Why it matters: Early support from veterans carries weight for a quarterback joining a new roster midseason. McCarthy arrived from Minnesota via trade, a move he called an opportunity to take advantage of. Locker room backing helps stabilize his standing as he settles in New York.

What to watch: Watch McCarthy's next start to see if that early backing translates into sustained playing time.