“We were high-fiving and hugging. That’s what that was, and then we got him on the phone. So, we took about five minutes there and just – we were just talking and hanging out and enjoying the moment really.” The New York Giants selected one of the top prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft, Abdul Carter, on Day 1. And no doubt, they were extremely happy, as GM Joe Schoen mentioned after the draft class in a press conference. Everything was just going well until the tense moments that came later.

Just one day has passed since being drafted, and the defensive end, Abdul Carter, has already started drawing attention from the league. According to the reports, Carter demanded that the Giants get him the next Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56 jersey. However, this urge didn’t sit well with the legend Taylor himself.

After hearing this demand from the rookie, Taylor, via JPAFootball on X, said, “I know he would love to wear that number, but hey, I think it’s retired. Get another number, I don’t care if it’s double zero, and then make it famous.” Yes! He directly said no to Carter after the rookie expressed his love for the jersey and the veteran.

The NFL drafted Lawrence Taylor second overall in 1981. He owned the field for 13 seasons, racking up 10 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro honors, and becoming the first defensive player to ever win MVP unanimously. This man indeed changed the game, and that’s the reason why he is considered one of the legends of the Giants team.

By ’94, New York retired his iconic No. 56, and it was sacred. But now, there’s a buzz. Rookie Abdul Carter wants to wear that number.

Will Abdul Carter get the jersey number 56?

Abdul Carter might’ve just stepped into a legacy he didn’t ask for, but one he’ll have to face head-on. Getting drafted third overall by the Giants? That’s huge. But when folks start whispering “next L.T.” the pressure skyrockets. And let’s be real – there’s only one Lawrence Taylor. Comparing anyone to him? It’s not just unfair, it’s almost insulting to what he meant to the game. Still, fans can’t help themselves, especially the ones who never saw Taylor in his prime. This happened when Carter himself called Taylor, the greatest football player of all time. Even his Penn State fellowmate Micah Parsons also loved the idea, saying, “I respect the hell out of that, dog. That would be some legendary stuff.”

Abdul Carter’s got the talent, no doubt. He could bring the heat, shake up offenses, and make his mark. But when he joked about maybe wearing No. 56 – the same jersey Taylor made untouchable – it hit differently. Because that number’s not just fabric, it’s a piece of history. It’s true that just last year, the Giants brought back Ray Flaherty’s retired No. 1 for Malik Nabers, with the family’s blessing. So sure, the Giants unretired a number last year, but Taylor’s not some name in a dusty book. He’s still alive. The fans who watched him change the game? They’re alive too.

So, unless Lawrence Taylor himself signs off, Abdul Carter’s got one option – make a new number legendary on his own terms!