The wait is over! After months of wondering what number New York Giants' first-round pick Abdul Carter will wear this season, we have learned he will be sticking with No. 51, which he wore throughout training camp and the preseason.
Carter initially asked Giants legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor for his permission to wear No. 56, which is retired by the franchise, but the Hall of Famer declined the rookie's request. Many people also expected this year's third overall pick to request No. 11, which quarterback Phil Simms wore, but that number is also retired by the Giants. Others thought Carter might pivot to No. 15, now that Tommy DeVito is no longer with the team, but that is not the case.
Carter seemed to be disappointed about being denied LT's request for No. 56 and Simms' family telling him he couldn't wear No. 11, but he understood. Now, he has made his final decision. On Friday, the rookie posted a picture of his jersey on his personal X account, captioned, "51 here too stay," putting any rumors about what number he'll be repping this year to bed.
51 here too stay. pic.twitter.com/ZQQlyH9mXU
— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) August 29, 2025
Abdul Carter makes it official he's wearing No. 51 for the Giants this year
After Carter confirmed he’ll be wearing No. 51 this year, Giants fans can confidently make their long-term investment and start buying his jersey knowing the number won’t change. Don’t be surprised if No. 51 jerseys fly off the racks, as Big Blue Nation is fired up about the third overall pick’s arrival in New York and expects him to be a cornerstone of the defense for years to come.
Before even suiting up for the G-Men, Carter is already viewed as the heavy favorite to win this year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The last Giant to take home DROY honors was Lawrence Taylor back in 1981.
Not only does Carter have big shoes to fill if he wants to live up to what LT was for the G-Men, but he also has to carve out his own legacy in a new number. No. 51 jerseys should be a hot commodity across Big Blue Nation, with expectations sky-high for the rookie.
The last player to wear the number was linebacker Azeez Ojulari, now with the Philadelphia Eagles. So if you’ve still got an Ojulari jersey, either break out the duct tape or swap it in for a Carter one — because No. 51 is here to stay, and so is the first-round pick.