New York Giants rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter has not had the greatest start to his NFL career.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft was benched for the start of a game, this time, missing almost the entire first quarter against the New England Patriots.
It was the second time in three weeks that Carter was not on the field with the rest of the Giants’ starters, the first time coming against the Green Bay Packers three weeks ago.
“Just grow up, really,” defensive captain Dexter Lawrence said after Monday night’s loss via The New York Post.
“I think he loves football and he takes it serious. His approach to the game is really good. Just young stuff that can’t happen.”
Abdul Carter Takes Accountability for Benching
Carter was reportedly benched for missing a team responsibility, according to the New York Post.
It’s becoming a “recurring trend” per the same report, and certainly a concerning behavior for a player who was supposed to be a difference-maker on day one.
“I’m learning a lot. Just being a man, being in the NFL, just going through it. I’m learning a lot and I’m glad I’m going through it so I can be better prepared in the future,” Carter told reporters on Tuesday.
When asked about his teammates telling him to grow up, the rookie edge rusher once again placed the blame on himself.
“I take it. The guys who say that are guys I look up to, guys I respect. If they say something like that, I’ve got to look at myself and say, ‘how can I get better?’ and prove to them that I can earn their respect, grow up and be who I’m supposed to be.”
It’s a positive development that Carter is taking responsibility for his actions.
Still, this is the second time he’s been disciplined this season, and the New York Giants pass rusher will have to prove he’s changing his ways rather than talking about it.
“What I do on the field, after I’ve been through all this controversy, how do I respond? Do I shy away from it, or do I accept the challenge and become better, be the man I’m supposed to be?”
Bobby Okereke Sounds off on Abdul Carter
Another New York Giants defensive captain, linebacker Bobby Okereke, spoke his mind on the Carter situation, calling it a reminder of why you can’t take anything for granted in the NFL.
“Abdul is a very talented player. He’s a very valuable player on this team. And I think it’s just a reminder for all of us to take this job and position that we’re in with the utmost professionalism,” Okereke told reporters.
“It’s a job we’re extremely blessed to do, and we get paid a lot of money to do it. You’ve got to respect it and the details on and off the field.”
The former Indianapolis Colts linebacker was then asked how Carter was handling the criticism.
“He’s handled it well. We’ve talked about it, it’s just getting everyone in the boat rowing in the same direction.”
With only four games remaining in the regular season, Carter is running out of time to make a positive impression in his rookie year.
So far this season, the No. 3 overall pick in last April’s draft has only 1.5 sacks on the season.
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