Carter, who wore No. 11 at Penn State, also hoped to don No. 56—a number immortalized by Giants legend Lawrence Taylor. But both numbers are off-limits in New York, prompting Carter to settle for No. 51, a choice many now see as a clever compromise. Not only does it fall symbolically between 11 and 56, but it also fits his position and maintains a clean, classic look.

The situation sparked heated discussion on sports talk shows and social media. Some fans and analysts sided with tradition, arguing rookies shouldn’t even consider asking for retired numbers. Others called the practice outdated and overly sentimental, pointing out that the NFL’s growing rosters and positional number restrictions are making it harder to maintain such long-term number bans. One common refrain: “Retired numbers are ridiculous… just honor the legacy in other ways.”

Comments ranged from dismissive—“It’s just a number”—to philosophical. One fan even speculated that Carter’s affinity for certain numbers might stem from numerology, noting that both 11 (1+1) and 56 (5+6) reduce to the number 2—his birthdate.

The Carter case, along with other recent high-profile jersey number debates—like the Giants allowing rookie WR Malik Nabers to wear No. 1—has ignited a larger conversation around how teams honor legends. With some fans calling to “unretire all numbers,” and others suggesting limited retirement windows (e.g. 25 years), it’s clear that the league and its followers may be entering a new era of thinking.

Ultimately, Abdul Carter may have done more than choose a number—he may have sparked the beginning of the end for permanent number retirements in pro football.

According to multiple league sources, the New York Giants may be in serious pursuit of the No. 1 overall pick, currently held by the Tennessee Titans. Several insiders left recent meetings with the Giants under the impression that trade discussions for the top selection are not only active—but trending toward likely.

The expected target? Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

Ward has quickly emerged as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, showcasing elite arm talent, mobility, and the type of leadership NFL teams covet. If the Giants do pull the trigger on a trade with the Titans, all signs point to Ward being the quarterback they want to build around.

New York currently sits at No. 3 overall in most mock drafts, and while that still puts them in position to land a top-tier player, securing Ward would require a jump past other QB-needy teams. With Daniel Jones in Indy, the franchise appears ready to hit the reset button under center—and Ward could be the centerpiece of that new era.

While nothing is finalized, all eyes are now on the Giants and Titans as the draft approaches. A deal involving the No. 1 pick would be one of the biggest headlines of draft season—and potentially the first domino in a wild first round.

The speculation has sparked excitement and debate among fans. Some are already envisioning the 2025 NFL Draft announcement:
“With the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select… Shedeur Sanders, quarterback, University of Colorado.”

Why Shedeur Sanders Fits the Giants

The Giants have struggled mightily this season, exposing significant issues across their roster, particularly at the quarterback position. With uncertainty surrounding their long-term solution under center, Sanders offers a tantalizing mix of traits to stabilize and energize the team.

• Elite Passing Skills: Sanders’ precise throws and ability to deliver under pressure have NFL scouts intrigued. His arm strength and accuracy, combined with his poise, make him a prime candidate to step into a rebuilding team like the Giants.
• Toughness: One quality that has particularly impressed Giants evaluators is Sanders’ resilience. Behind an offensive line that has faced challenges of its own, Sanders has demonstrated the ability to stand tall, take hits, and still make plays—an invaluable trait given New York’s ongoing offensive line struggles.
• Leadership and Charisma: Sanders’ composure and leadership skills make him a natural fit for a franchise looking for a player who can rally the locker room and take on the immense pressure of playing in New York.

Fans React to the Possibility

Giants fans are split on the idea of Sanders donning Big Blue. Many are optimistic, believing that he could be the dynamic playmaker the team has lacked for years. One fan remarked, “Throws from Shedeur Sanders are gonna get NFL teams excited—with the Giants’ O-line problems, his toughness to stand tall and deliver is a huge bonus!”

Others are more cautious, noting the numerous holes in the roster that need to be addressed beyond the quarterback position. “Shedeur isn’t getting this Giants team to six wins next year, sorry not sorry,” a skeptical fan tweeted, pointing to the team’s need for upgrades across the board.

Is Sanders to the Giants Inevitable?

If the Giants’ downward trajectory continues, they could very well land a top draft pick in 2025, putting them in prime position to select Sanders. His recent comments on the prospect of playing for New York, paired with his trademark smile, have only fueled the speculation further.

“It’s only a matter of time,” one analyst said, referring to the connection between Sanders and the Giants. “If things keep going the way they’re going, Shedeur Sanders will be a New York Giant.”

While there’s still a long way to go before the 2025 draft, the thought of Sanders leading the Giants has already captured the imagination of fans and scouts alike. Whether he’ll ultimately end up in New York remains to be seen, but for now, the excitement around this pairing is palpable.

Could Shedeur Sanders be the Giants’ quarterback of the future? Giants Nation will be watching closely.

Understanding the Franchise Tag

The franchise tag is a mechanism employed by NFL teams to retain their star players on a one-year contract, preventing them from entering unrestricted free agency. When a player receives the franchise tag, they are offered a tender, which represents the average of the top salaries at their position. In the case of Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, this tender amounts to a substantial $10.091 million for the 2023 season.

Skipping Training Camp – An Option for Unsigned Players

Since Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs have yet to sign their franchise tag tenders, they are not officially under contract with their respective teams. This unique situation allows them to skip the entirety of training camp without incurring fines, as players are only subject to fines when they are under contract and fail to report for camp.

However, the absence from training camp can have both positive and negative repercussions. While it gives players extra time to recover from injuries or work on personal training, it also means missing crucial bonding with teammates and the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the team’s offensive and defensive schemes.

Regular Season Implications

One aspect of the franchise tag standoff that might concern fans and teams alike is the potential impact on the regular season. If Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs continue to hold out and do not sign their tenders by the start of the regular season, they risk losing game checks for the weeks they miss.

For every game missed, a player on the franchise tag stands to lose 1/17th of their tender amount. In the case of the $10.091 million tender, each missed game would cost the player approximately $594,176. Considering a 17-week regular season, prolonged absences could result in significant financial losses for the running backs.

Team Dynamics and Fan Sentiment

Beyond financial implications, skipping training camp and potentially regular-season games can affect team dynamics and fan sentiment. Teammates may feel disappointed or concerned about the absence of key players during crucial preparation stages, leading to a potential strain on team chemistry. Additionally, fan support may waver, as the absence of star players can dampen expectations and excitement for the season.

The standoff between Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs and their respective teams over the franchise tag tender presents a challenging situation for all parties involved. While the players have the option to skip training camp without fines due to their unsigned status, the potential repercussions on the regular season and team dynamics cannot be ignored. As the NFL season approaches, fans and teams alike eagerly await a resolution to this contract dispute, hoping that these talented running backs will be on the field when the action begins.

The move for the Giants was more about the money than an indictment on the player. Bradberry, 28, was set to make $13.5 million this season and would have counted as $21.9 million on the team’s salary cap. His release leaves the Giants thin at cornerback

-ESPN

No disrespect to Daniel Jones but look at the stats above. There is no reason those stats deserved to be drafted number six overall in the draft.

Dave Gettleman’s opening statements on drafting Daniel Jones. #NYG #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/SKiw31EQIB

— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) April 26, 2019

Cowboysfan is back with his projections for all 32 NFL fan bases!

Check out the latest NFL 2019 mock draft below:

1. Cardinals: Jonah Williams OT Alabama
The Cardinals should do everything within their power to trade out of this pick. If they are unable to do so, they have a big decision to make. To take the top OT or to take the best overall player. In this case, Cardinals simply need O line help, and if it were feasible, they would draft 5 Offensive linemen in this draft. It’s an embarrassment how bad they are. Williams isn’t a road grader, but is techinically sound and has battled the best pass rushers out there. Williams would be a great addition and a building block for the Cards.

2. Raiders: Nick Bosa DE Ohio State
Raiders traded away their best pass rusher, and they have a chance to draft the next best one. Bosa is more athletic than his brother, and is NFL ready in terms of size. He’s technical, but also has a very good first step. Some may question the injury though.

3. 49ers: Josh Allen OLB Kentucky
I think the 49ers could definitely use CB here, but they have a chance to form a formidable defensive front with Allen as the primary pass rusher. Buckner has been good and Armstead is a solid guy as well. Allen helped himself tremendously. He was more of just a jack of all trades guy, but has developed into a true master of a player. You need a pass rusher on third down he’s your guy, you need someone to set the edge for your defense, he’s your guy. You need a guy who drop into coverage, once again he is your guy. Don’t make things harder, just take the guy and don’t look back.

4. Jets: Greedy Williams CB LSU
The Jets need talent everywhere, but I think they could and should add a CB to their team that can take advantage of the S play they have. Williams is a very talented CB. Has elite length and speed. Doesn’t have the best hips, but covers well. He needs to be more physical, and wrap up when tackling.

5. Lions: Quinnen Williams DT Alabama
The Lions need to get some help on defense, and Williams is a monster. The current NFL is starting to shift towards DT collapsing the pocket and Williams is a guy who can bull rush or finesse his way to the QB. He dominates every O lineman he’s played.

6. Buccaneers: Byron Murphy CB Washington
Bucs are one of the worst defenses there is. Defense should be the priority. Murphy in my opinion is better than Greedy, but he doesn’t play in a high profile school like LSU. Even though it is pretty high profile. He’s 6’1″ 190. He has good speed, but is more importantly techinically sound. He doesn’t give ground in coverage and will tackle.

7. Bills: Ed Oliver DT Houston
The Bills are somewhat devoid of talent. They could add a defensive player to build around. Oliver is a pass rushing DT, who can also play some DE. I think his overall size is a bit of a question mark, but it never really presented a problem in college. He’s not really just a finesse player, he can really bully guys when needed. He’s very talented, and he would be a building block for the Bills.

8. Giants: Greg Little OT Ole Miss
QB and O line are imply everything the Giants need. Their O line is bad, and unless they want to draft an average QB, they take the O line. Little isn’t as good as Williams, but he’s a big guy who is pretty nimble. He isn’t a road grader despite his overall size. He’s not as good in run blocking as I would think, but he’s a good pass blocker which spells good things for Eli Manning and the passing game.