New York Giants rookie pass-rusher Abdul Carter came into the NFL with big dreams and an even bigger swing, asking to unretire the legendary No. 56 of Lawrence Taylor or the No. 11 of Phil Simms. Spoiler alert: he struck out on both. The third overall pick in the 2025 draft got a reality check from two Giants icons and a roasting from Patriots legends Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman on their “Dudes on Dudes” podcast. The message? You don’t just walk into East Rutherford and claim LT’s number—you earn your own. Let’s break down the jersey drama, why Carter’s request stirred up a storm, and what this fiery rookie can do to carve out his own legacy with Big Blue.
Carter, a Penn State phenom who racked up 17.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his last college season, arrived in New York with the kind of hype that turns heads. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, he’s got the tools to be a game-wrecker, drawing comparisons to edge-rushers like Micah Parsons. Giants fans, starving for a defensive savior after years of mediocrity, were ready to anoint him the next big thing. So when ESPN reported that Carter reached out to unretire No. 56—worn by the greatest defensive player in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor—or No. 11, donned by two-time Super Bowl champ Phil Simms, you could hear the collective gasp from the Meadowlands to Manhattan.
Taylor, never one to mince words, shut it down with the kind of swagger that made him LT. “Get another number,” he told Carter, per sources, “and then make it famous.” It’s classic Taylor—part challenge, part masterclass in earning your stripes. Simms, meanwhile, took a softer approach but still said no, telling longtime Giants writer Gary Myers that his family “outvoted” him on letting Carter wear No. 11. You’ve got to respect the history here. Taylor, with his 132.5 career sacks, two Super Bowl rings, and a resume that includes the 1986 NFL MVP, isn’t just a Giants legend—he’s the gold standard for defensive dominance. Simms, while overshadowed by Eli Manning’s two MVPs, threw for over 33,000 yards and led the Giants to titles in 1986 and 1990. Those numbers aren’t just fabric; they’re woven into the franchise’s soul.
Enter Gronk and Edelman, who didn’t hold back on their podcast, tearing into Carter’s request with a mix of disbelief and old-school tough love. “Was he serious, asking for LT’s number?” Gronkowski said, his voice dripping with incredulity. “LT is an absolute legend, the best to do it, one of the best defenders of all time. You gotta prove yourself, brother. That’s crazy.” Edelman, chuckling at Taylor’s response, nailed it: “That was such a LT response. ‘Go make your own freaking number, kid.’” The two Pats icons, who combined for seven Super Bowl rings under Bill Belichick, know a thing or two about earning respect. They even had fun imagining how Belichick, who coached Taylor as the Giants’ defensive coordinator in the ’80s, would’ve handled Carter’s ask. Gronk’s Belichick impression was gold: “Nope, no buddy. There’s one LT and you’re not LT. You’re not even close. So, how about you get the [expletive] out of my office and get in your playbook because you haven’t done s— yet.”
It’s a fair ribbing, but let’s not bury Carter just yet. The kid’s 22, fresh off being the highest-drafted defensive player in Giants history since Taylor himself went No. 2 in 1981. Asking for No. 56 or No. 11 wasn’t just bold—it was a young player shooting his shot, maybe a little naive but brimming with confidence. Last summer, Giants rookie Malik Nabers got the green light from Ray Flaherty’s family to wear the retired No. 1, so Carter might’ve thought he had a chance. Nabers’ case sparked some radio chatter, but Flaherty, a Hall of Famer from the 1930s, doesn’t carry the same modern-day mystique as LT or Simms. Carter’s request, by contrast, was like a rookie asking to wear Babe Ruth’s No. 3 at Yankee Stadium. Good luck with that.
So, what’s next for Carter? He’s got until Week 1 to pick a new number, and you can bet Giants fans are already dreaming of him making it iconic. Picture this: Carter, wearing something like No. 91 or No. 55, blowing past tackles to bury quarterbacks like he did at Penn State, where he notched seven sacks as a true freshman. His college tape is a highlight reel—think strip-sacks against Ohio State, chasing down running backs in open space, or stonewalling tight ends in coverage. If he brings that chaos to Brian Daboll’s defense, alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence, the Giants could finally have the pass-rush they’ve been missing since the days of Strahan and Tuck.
The pressure’s on, no doubt. Giants fans are a tough crowd, and Carter’s jersey request has already raised eyebrows on X, with some calling it “disrespectful” and others saying, “Kid’s got guts, let’s see if he backs it up.” The good news? Carter’s shown he can handle the heat. At Penn State, he played through a shoulder injury in 2024 and still led the Big Ten in pressures. His high school coach called him “a quiet assassin,” the kind of guy who lets his play do the talking. If he takes LT’s advice to heart—make your own number famous—he’s got a shot to win over the skeptics.
For now, Carter’s learning a hard lesson: legends cast long shadows, especially in a place like New York. Taylor and Simms didn’t just wear those numbers; they defined them, hoisting Lombardi Trophies and etching their names in Giants lore. Carter’s got zero NFL snaps to his name, but he’s got the talent, the work ethic, and now a chip on his shoulder the size of Jersey. Come September, when he lines up against the likes of Jalen Hurts or Dak Prescott, he’ll have a chance to start building his own myth. Until then, let’s cut the kid some slack—he’s not LT, but who is? Abdul Carter’s story is just getting started, and if he plays half as big as his dreams, Giants fans might just have a new number to chant.
