The New York Giants have officially put an end to linebacker Abdul Carter’s hopes of donning a legendary jersey number. After weeks of speculation, the team announced the numbers assigned to rookies for minicamp, confirming that their new defensive star will not be wearing Lawrence Taylor’s iconic No. 56.
Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, wore No. 11 at Penn State. However, upon joining the Giants, the former Nittany Lions standout told Bleacher Report, “No. 56 sounds really good.”
Fans swiftly reacted-and not in his favor. “I like the energy, but simmer down, big dawg, lol,” one fan wrote. Another added, “These young cats, man. They really don’t get it.”
What number will Carter wear?
On Friday, the Giants ended the speculation by announcing rookie jersey numbers for minicamp via social media. Carter will wear No. 51, while Jaxson Dart will sport No. 6, Darius Alexander No. 91, Cam Skateebo No. 44, Marcus Mbow No. 71, Thomas Fiddone No. 86, and Korie Black No. 25.
The announcement settled the controversy but sparked a new question-how did the Giants settle on No. 51 for Carter? NFL Network commentator Kyle Brandt has an unorthodox theory.
Following the reveal, Brandt speculated that Carter’s new jersey number is a subtle nod to both his past and the player he admires-adding the digits from Taylor’s No. 56 to Carter’s Penn State No. 11. While an intriguing idea, only the team or Carter himself can confirm whether this played a role in the selection.
A generational divide?
Carter isn’t the only rookie flirting with the idea of wearing a retired or revered number. Tennessee Titans‘ No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, could wear No. 1 with the blessing of Hall of Famer Warren Moon.
So far, the only rookie to successfully claim a legendary number-at least unofficially-is Shedeur Sanders, who was handed No. 12 worn by Tom Brady upon joining Cleveland. Though Brady never played for the Browns, the gesture stirred plenty of reactions from fans and analysts alike.
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