Lambeau Field might be 990 miles from MetLife Stadium, but Abdul Carter sounded like a guy who’s already home.
The Penn State edge rusher and Philly native was asked by Ryan Novozinsky of NJ Advance Media how he’d handle getting drafted by the New York Giants—his childhood team’s bitter rival. Without skipping a beat, he delivered the kind of line that can instantly win over a fanbase and turn heads in New York:
“Once I go to New York, I’m all New York,” Carter said. “I’m gonna have to leave Philly behind.”
First, wow. What a draft nugget. Tell us you're getting drafted by the Giants without telling us.
Second, after the sting of losing Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles just one offseason ago, that quote hit like a cold drink on a hot day. In fact, Carter’s mindset feels like the anti-Saquon—putting Philly in the rearview and looking forward to New York.
Abdul Carter will have Giants fans running through a wall
Giants fans are still sore about Saquon’s defection. The franchise icon's exit will be talked about for decades. He joined the Eagles. And then ran for 2,000 yards, won Offensive Player of the Year, a Super Bowl, and became the highest-paid running back in league history.
Fans booed, tweeted, debated, and ultimately watched their favorite player put on one of the greatest seasons the NFL has ever seen. It was a constant slap in the face.
Now? The Giants are staring at a potential pick who’s not only elite on the field—but willing to switch fandom allegiances off of it to give New York everything he has and more.
Carter didn’t hide his excitement about a possible Giants future: “It’ll be a blessing to play with those guys,” he said, referencing Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. “I’m gonna come compete and we’ll form the best pass rush in the league.”
Best in the league you say... sorta like when Lawrence Taylor was around? It's not like Carter posted a social media picture of him while visiting the Giants' facility or anything like that. He wants New York. He wants to follow in Taylor’s footsteps. He wants to be the reason championships are won. That's great news because in the eyes of many—he should be the pick at No. 3.
The Giants have a decision to make Thursday night. Travis Hunter (if he's around) and Shedeur Sanders (if he's also around) remain options. But Carter? He’s ready for the Big Apple. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Twelve sacks. Consensus All-American. The second-highest pass-rush grade in the country. A ceiling some scouts believe is the highest in the draft.
When asked about fitting into a crowded edge room, Carter didn’t flinch: “You never can have enough pass rushers… that’s how championships are won.” He's not wrong. Philly got after Patrick Mahomes all night in the Super Bowl, ultimately sealing the Chiefs' fate.
General manager Joe Schoen seems to agree. “We would find a way,” he said last week, when asked about fitting Carter into Shane Bowen’s defense. “You’ve got good football players, you figure it out.”
If the Giants want to make a statement—not just on the field, but in the locker room—they draft Carter. The guy who’s willing to trade childhood memories, fandom, and Philly roots for a shot in New York. The guy willing to trade Kelly Green for bluer skies. The anti-Saquon is ready. Let’s see if the Giants are too.