New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter will wear a new jersey number in the 2026 NFL season. The team confirmed on March 20 that Carter has switched to No. 3 as he prepares for his second year in the league.
Carter previously wore No. 51 during his rookie season in 2025. The number change gives the young defender a fresh start heading into the upcoming campaign after a promising first year with the franchise.
The No. 3 jersey recently became available after quarterback Russell Wilson, who wore the number for the Giants during the 2025 season, left the team and is currently a free agent.
Abdul Carter Player Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Abdul Carter |
| Team | New York Giants |
| Position | Linebacker |
| Draft | No. 3 overall pick (2025 NFL Draft) |
| College | Penn State |
| New Jersey Number | No. 3 |
Carter was selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Penn State. The Giants viewed him as one of the top defensive prospects in the class.
Jersey Number Change Confirmed
| Season | Jersey Number |
|---|---|
| 2025 (Rookie Season) | No. 51 |
| 2026 Season | No. 3 |
The Giants officially revealed Carter’s new number through social media, confirming that the linebacker will wear No. 3 moving forward.
The change comes after Carter spent his rookie season wearing No. 51. While the number served as his initial choice after the draft, it never appeared to be his preferred option.
The Story Behind Carter’s Number Journey
Carter’s search for a jersey number began immediately after he joined the Giants.
| Requested Number | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| No. 56 | Denied | Retired for Giants legend Lawrence Taylor |
| No. 11 | Denied | Retired for Phil Simms |
| No. 51 | Used in 2025 | Temporary rookie number |
| No. 3 | Selected for 2026 | Became available after Russell Wilson |
The linebacker originally hoped to wear No. 56, but the number is permanently retired by the Giants in honor of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.
Carter also requested No. 11, the number he wore during his college career at Penn State. However, that number is retired by the Giants for legendary quarterback Phil Simms, and the Simms family opposed the request.
With those options unavailable, Carter selected No. 51 for his rookie year before eventually switching to No. 3.
Abdul Carter’s Rookie Season Performance
Despite the jersey number situation, Carter showed flashes of strong potential during his first NFL season.
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 43 |
| Sacks | 4 |
| Tackles for Loss | 7 |
| Quarterback Hits | 23 |
| Forced Fumbles | 2 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 2 |
| Pressures | 66 |
Carter’s rookie campaign included several impressive performances. He finished the season with 43 tackles and four sacks while also recording multiple forced turnovers.
His ability to pressure quarterbacks stood out throughout the year, ranking among the league’s better young pass rushers.
Also see: Ty Chandler Signs With Saints as Vikings Lose Another Offensive Player
Expectations for Carter’s Second NFL Season
The jersey change comes as Carter prepares for his second year in the NFL. Many fans are hopeful that the new number marks the beginning of a major leap in performance.
The linebacker already showed signs of elite potential during his rookie season, and the Giants expect him to play an even larger role in their defense moving forward.
With a full year of NFL experience and a new jersey number, Carter will enter the 2026 season looking to establish himself as one of the rising defensive stars in the league.
