Giants pivot to Dart-Carter duo as Week 4 starter

The New York Giants will start Jaxson Dart at quarterback in Week 4, moving him into the starting role after an 0-3 start and benching Russell Wilson. Dart will be paired with Abdul Carter, the Giants’ first-round pick this year, as the franchise leans into an immediate, two-rookie approach in hopes of stabilizing the offense and building a longer-term foundation.

Team officials have framed the decision as a culmination of work that began long before this season. The organization has been cultivating a plan for Dart since the draft, quarterback coach Shea Tierney said, emphasizing preparation and resilience. “We know what type of person he is and how he prepares. We’ve had a plan for him. He’s done really well with that plan,” Tierney said, underscoring a belief that the rookie quarterback can handle the transition sooner rather than later.

Dart’s rise has been framed as a combined evaluation of talent and intangibles. The rookie has impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic and athleticism, and those around him have spoken of a palpable “swag” that lifts the room. Former NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, who has observed Dart, described him as having “incredible swag” that can energize teammates while delivering on the field. Winston added that Dart’s presence can help unify a locker room that has been pushing for a steadier path forward.

Tierney and head coach Brian Daboll have been careful to temper expectations. They have stressed that this is not an invitation for Dart to shoulder the offense alone. “I think it’s most important that everybody does their job as well as we can do it,” Daboll said. “Jaxson has a job and it’s not solely on Jaxson. It’s not solely ever on a quarterback. … You don’t have to go out there and be a hero.” The message, coaches say, is to lean on the system, execution, and teamwork rather than placing an outsized burden on a rookie’s shoulders.

The Week 4 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, present a stern early test. The Chargers have allowed 16.7 points per game, one of the league’s stingier marks, and will offer a real gauge of how quickly Dart and the offense can function against a competent defense. Nevertheless, Giants coaches acknowledge the realities of a rookie quarterback facing NFL competition for the first time."There’s no soft landing for a rookie quarterback,” Tierney said, underscoring the abrupt nature of the transition and the need for preparation to carry over from practice to game day.

Dart’s communication with Daboll in the run-up to his first start illustrated how the staff intends to manage the transition. The coach said Dart called late Thursday night about red-zone situations, and he advised the quarterback to get some sleep and address it in the morning. That exchange reflected the collaborative approach the group has embraced: trust in the rookie’s preparation, while providing steady, actionable guidance to navigate in-game decisions.

Officials are also relying on the presence of Carter as a stabilizing figure within the offense and defense alike. Carter, who was widely regarded as a top draft pick and a centerpiece of the club’s rebuild, spoke about a mindset that emphasizes readiness and immediacy. “Never just sit back and wait for your turn,” Carter said. “Always prepare like a starter because you know at any moment, it could happen. And here we are. So he’ll be ready.” His stance reinforces the organization’s insistence that this is not a stunt or a short-term experiment, but a concerted effort to redefine the current trajectory.

The plan’s emphasis on preparation and poise extends beyond individual players. Daboll has repeatedly highlighted the role of the entire unit in supporting a rookie quarterback, including the offensive line, receivers, and play callers. The overarching expectation is that Dart can gain confidence by leveraging a disciplined game plan and a strong supporting cast, rather than being forced into hero ball.

As the Giants undertake this transition, the team’s leadership has acknowledged a potential learning curve. But the messaging from the staff has remained consistent: manage the progression, maintain poise, and rely on a collaborative approach to put the young quarterback in the best position possible to succeed from Week 4 onward.

Carter’s consistency and Dart’s preparedness have become central to the franchise’s short-term expectations. Carter’s belief in the present tense signals a shift in how the Giants view their rebuilding timeline, with the pair viewed as capable of contributing now rather than waiting for a later stage of development. The coaching staff has cautioned that immediate results are not guaranteed, but they remain confident in the plan and the players’ ability to adapt to the increased responsibility.

In the coming weeks, the Giants will continue to monitor the growth of both Dart and Carter as they navigate a season that has thus far fallen short of expectations. The emphasis on preparation, mental toughness, and a steady, team-first approach will define the early stages of this new era, and the coaching staff will be watching closely to determine how quickly the rookies can translate practice performance into on-field success.