Abdul Carter Switches to No. 3, Takes Russell Wilson's Number

Abdul Carter Switches to No. 3: Everything You Need to Know About the Giants' Jersey Number Change

The New York Giants made headlines on March 20, 2026, when they officially announced that second-year linebacker Abdul Carter is changing his jersey number from No. 51 to No. 3 ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The number, most recently worn by departed quarterback Russell Wilson, now belongs to one of the most exciting young pass rushers in the league. It's a move that sounds simple on the surface, but carries a surprisingly rich backstory — one that involves two of the greatest Giants in franchise history and a creative workaround that defined Carter's rookie year.

For fans tracking the Giants' offseason moves and wondering what this number change means for Carter's future in New York, here's a deep dive into the full story. (NFL.com)

Why Abdul Carter Is Changing His Jersey Number

The short answer: No. 51 was never Carter's first choice. It was a compromise born out of respect for Giants legend Lawrence Taylor and the family of Phil Simms — and a bit of creative math.

Before his rookie season in 2025, Carter first set his sights on No. 56, the iconic number retired by the Giants in honor of Lawrence Taylor, widely regarded as the greatest linebacker in NFL history. The connection made sense — Carter is a dominant edge rusher who draws comparisons to the all-time greats. But Taylor declined to give his blessing for Carter to wear the number, keeping it sacred as a retired honor.

Carter then pivoted to No. 11, the number he wore at Penn State, which holds deep personal significance. But that number is retired by the Giants for quarterback Phil Simms, and Simms' family did not agree to allow Carter to wear it.

Rather than settle for a random number, Carter did something inventive: he added 56 and 11 together to get 51, and wore that number throughout his entire rookie season. It was a quiet tribute to the two numbers he couldn't have — and a detail that endeared him to fans who caught on to the story.

Now, with Russell Wilson having departed the Giants, No. 3 opened up. Carter made the switch, and the Giants made it official. (Yahoo Sports)

Abdul Carter's Rookie Season: The Numbers Behind the Number

If Carter's jersey number story is interesting, his on-field performance as a rookie is what truly commands attention. Selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter arrived in New York with enormous expectations — and largely delivered.

Over the course of the 2025 regular season, Carter played all 17 games, starting six of them. His stat line:

• 4 sacks
• 43 total tackles
• 2 forced fumbles
• 2 fumble recoveries
• 23 quarterback hits — the most by any rookie in the NFL that season

That last figure is particularly telling. Quarterback hits are a premier indicator of a pass rusher's impact, and leading all NFL rookies in that category signals that Carter's pressure was real and consistent, even when sacks didn't materialize. It's the kind of production that suggests the sack numbers will follow as he develops.

The season wasn't without turbulence, however. Carter was disciplined twice by interim head coach Mike Kafka for violating team rules — a reminder that, for all his talent, he is still a young player navigating the professional game both on and off the field. (MSN Sports)

The Giants' Pass Rush Trio and What No. 3 Signals for 2026

The jersey number change arrives at a moment when the Giants appear to be building around their defensive front. New York's pass rusher trio for the 2026 season now looks like this:

• Brian Burns — No. 0
• Kayvon Thibodeaux — No. 5
• Abdul Carter — No. 3

It's worth noting that prior to 2021, NFL rules prohibited linebackers from wearing single-digit jersey numbers. The rule change opened the door for edge defenders and linebackers to wear numbers long associated with skill positions, and several high-profile players have taken advantage. Carter's No. 3 fits squarely into that modern trend — a pass rusher with a number that would have been impossible a few years ago.

The Burns-Thibodeaux-Carter combination gives the Giants a formidable group of young edge rushers. If Carter takes a significant step forward in Year 2, as many top-three picks do, the Giants' defensive front could become one of the most feared in the NFC. (MSN Sports)

Malik Nabers' Hilarious Reaction to the Number Change

Not everyone was impressed with Carter's new number — at least not publicly. Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver what may be the best team reaction of the offseason, posting:

"U pic sum weird numbers bro"

The playful jab is a window into the camaraderie of a young Giants locker room. Nabers, himself one of the team's most dynamic offensive weapons, didn't let the moment pass without getting a laugh in at his teammate's expense. Carter's number journey — from trying to claim two retired legends' numbers, to doing arithmetic to arrive at 51, to landing on No. 3 — is admittedly an unusual path. Nabers apparently agrees. (MSN Sports)

The exchange went viral among Giants fans, adding a lighthearted moment to an otherwise routine offseason roster update.

The Legacy of No. 3 on the Giants Roster

For context, No. 3 arrived in Carter's hands through simple availability. Russell Wilson, who joined the Giants as a veteran quarterback in a reclamation project scenario, wore the number during his time in New York. With Wilson having moved on, the number was free — and Carter moved quickly to claim it.

There's a certain symmetry to a young defensive star inheriting a number from a veteran quarterback. It marks a transition point for the franchise: from patching holes with veteran retreads at quarterback to building around elite young talent on defense. Carter wearing No. 3 is, in some ways, a symbol of where the Giants' priorities lie heading into 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abdul Carter's Jersey Number Change

Why did Abdul Carter change his jersey number?

Carter switched from No. 51 to No. 3 ahead of the 2026 season. No. 3 became available after quarterback Russell Wilson departed the Giants. Carter's No. 51 was itself a compromise number — the sum of No. 56 (Lawrence Taylor's retired number) and No. 11 (Phil Simms' retired number), both of which Carter was denied permission to wear before his rookie season.

Why couldn't Abdul Carter wear No. 56 or No. 11?

Both numbers are retired by the New York Giants. No. 56 belongs to Lawrence Taylor, who declined to give Carter permission to wear it. No. 11 belongs to Phil Simms, and Simms' family also declined. Out of respect for both decisions, Carter came up with No. 51 as a creative alternative for his rookie year.

What were Abdul Carter's stats in his rookie season?

In 2025, Carter played all 17 regular season games (starting six), recording 4 sacks, 43 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a league-leading 23 quarterback hits among all rookies.

Who previously wore No. 3 for the Giants?

Quarterback Russell Wilson most recently wore No. 3 for the New York Giants before departing the team. With Wilson gone, the number became available for Carter to claim.

Can NFL linebackers wear single-digit numbers?

Yes — but only since 2021. Prior to that rule change, linebackers and edge defenders were required to wear numbers in the 50s through 90s range. The updated rules now allow players at those positions to wear single-digit numbers, which is why players like Brian Burns (No. 0), Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5), and now Carter (No. 3) can wear them.

What This Means for Abdul Carter's Second Season

A jersey number change is cosmetic, but the attention it draws reflects just how closely the football world is watching Abdul Carter. He enters his second NFL season as one of the most promising young pass rushers in the game, backed by a rookie year that showed real impact even when the traditional counting stats (sacks, specifically) didn't fully capture his influence.

The Giants are clearly invested in Carter's development. Pairing him with Burns and Thibodeaux gives the coaching staff multiple ways to deploy an elite edge-rushing group, and Carter — now wearing No. 3 with the experience of a full NFL season behind him — is poised to be a central figure in that equation.

Whether No. 3 becomes as iconic in Giants history as No. 56 or No. 11 is a question only time will answer. But the story of how Carter got there — through denied requests, franchise legends, and a viral teammate reaction — is already one of the more entertaining offseason narratives of 2026.