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Giants Legend Offers Jersey Number To Abdul Carter

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated May 2, 2025 12:28 PM ET

The New York Giants selected one of the best pass rushing prospects in recent seasons with Penn State's Abdul Carter. New York chose Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, a great value of confidence in his ability to translate his skill set into professional football.

Carter wore the No. 11 in college at Penn State, following in the footsteps of program legends like Micah Parsons and LaVar Arrington. There's only one problem for Carter - the number was worn by a Giants franchise legend.

Former quarterback Phil Simms won two Super Bowls in New York while wearing No. 11, and he recently talked about what would happen if a Giants player asked for his blessing.

If Abdul Carter or Jaxson Dart request it...

Will the Giants #11 jersey stay retired? @TheCousinSal @PhilSimmsQB | #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/CZzbl3k6Ef
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) May 2, 2025

"I told my friends and people around me: I'd let them have it in a second," Simms said while speaking to FanDuel TV's Cousin Sal. "Can you just help me a little and make it better?"

It's going to be hard to outdo Simms in New York, as he's considered one of the greatest players in franchise history. In addition to the two Super Bowl titles and game MVP in one, Simms was also a two-time Pro Bowler and the NFL's comeback player of the year.

The Carter selection was part of a busy draft for the Giants, who made other picks including former Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, guard Marcus Mbow from Purdue and more.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - DECEMBER 14: Quarterback Phil Simms #11 of the New York Giants huddles with the offense, including wide receiver Stacy Robinson #81 and tight end Mark Bavaro #89, during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Giants Stadium on December 14, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 27-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)George Gojkovich/Getty Images

New York took Jaxson Dart as the second quarterback off the board, trading up to get him at No. 25 overall in a controversial decision.

Dart, who played at Ole Miss and USC in college, will look to earn the starting job in his first season. He'll have tough competition in a pair of veterans like Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, both of whom signed with the Giants this offseason.

We'll see if Carter or Dart are brave enough to follow through on Simms' offer, and we'll see how both of them fare in their first NFL seasons. We'll find out where the Giants kick off the year when the NFL schedule is released later this month.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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