Lorenzo Carter hints he's not returning to Giants: 'I'll never forget the Big Blue'

It appears Lorenzo Carter will need to find a new home in the NFL. The pass-rusher indicated in an Instagram post that the Giants will not be re-signing him. 

“It’s hard for me to even put in words how blessed I am to have been a part of the New York Football Giants family these past four years,” he wrote, adding, “I’m thankful for everyone that played their part in making my time with the organization so special… as I move on to my next chapter, I’ll never forget the Big Blue.“ 

The 26-year-old was drafted by New York in the third round in 2018. He posted four sacks in his rookie campaign and has taken on a larger role in each of the three seasons since. Carter started all but three of the 34 games he played in from 2019 to 2021.

The former third-round pick has been a consistent contributor during his time in the Big Apple. With the exception of 2020 (in which he suited up for only five contests due to a torn Achilles), Carter totaled between 43 and 50 tackles and either 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 sacks each year. His career-high totals in both categories in 2021 showed his ability to bounce back from the serious injury.

Even with Carter, the Giants ranked 24th in the league in sacks last year. Without him, they will likely lean more on the likes of Azeez Ojulari, Elerson Smith and Quincy Roche, each of whom were drafted in 2021. Carter, meanwhile, will join an edge-rusher market that has lost almost all of its marquee names, with the notable exception of Za’Darius Smith.