Abdul Carter has finally settled the next chapter of his jersey number journey. After wearing No. 51 as a rookie with the New York Giants, Carter will now sport No. 3, the team announced Friday.
The switch comes after a multi-layered saga that began when Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, expressed interest in wearing No. 56 — the retired number of legendary Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. That request was denied, and his attempt to go with his college number, 11, also hit a roadblock, as the retired number honoring Hall of Fame quarterback Phil Simms remained off-limits.
Carter eventually blended the two inspirations into No. 51 for his rookie season, bringing an end to the initial controversy. Now, with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson no longer on the roster, No. 3 became available — and Carter jumped at the opportunity.
Thanks to the NFL’s relaxed jersey number rules introduced in 2021, linebackers can now wear single-digit numbers, giving Carter the chance to make the bold switch. Fans who bought his No. 51 jersey will be hoping he sticks with No. 3 for more than a single season.
