The New York Giants have dropped nine consecutive contests. One of the few bright spots has been the recent uptick in production from rookie EDGE Abdul Carter. Carter is beginning to flash the high-upside potential that made him the Giants' third overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Carter had recently run into disciplinary issues. Interim head coach Mike Kafka benched Carter twice between Weeks 11 and 13 due to alleged tardiness. Since then, the former Penn State standout has been performing with a sense of urgency.
Carter was benched for two possessions versus the New England Patriots in Week 13. The ex-Nittany Lions defensive end entered the contest with the Giants already trailing 17-0 on Monday Night Football. Carter still accumulated six pressures and one sack.
Carter followed that performance with another sack and four pressures versus the Washington Commanders in Week 15. This past Sunday, Carter registered six pressures and a sack in the 16-13 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Over the last four contests, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native has produced three sacks, four tackles for loss, nine QB hits, and 17 total tackles.
Abdul Carter highlights v. the Vikings pic.twitter.com/ERkPKoCcOY
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) December 22, 2025
Carter began his rookie season in a surprisingly quiet fashion. The athletic pass rusher has registered just 3.5 sacks this campaign, with three of them coming in the previous three outings. Carter had a half-sack in his NFL debut before going 11 consecutive contests without a QB takedown.
Carter's recent form has been a course correction. He had been disruptive all season long while frustratingly being held off the stat sheet. Carter's 54 pressures lead all NFL rookies by a long shot, with Atlanta Falcons EDGE James Pearce Jr. trailing him by 15 pressures (39) for the rookie lead.
Carter hasn't been disruptive by just rookie standards. He ranks 14th in the NFL among all EDGEs in pressures. He's currently pacing ahead of veteran pass rushers like Maxx Crosby, Harold Landry III, and Rashan Gary. Don't let anyone tell you Carter hasn't been productive.
The Giants fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in late November. They named outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen as the interim defensive play-caller. Credit Bullen, who has done a far better job of maximizing Carter's talent than Bowen did.
Abdul Carter credits DC Charlie Bullen for putting him in "better" positions:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 21, 2025
"The defense trusts him, he's talking to us, he's communicating, he has our ear. Shout out Chuck for that." pic.twitter.com/emzz9B6PBm
The Giants will be hiring a new head coach this offseason. Interim Mike Kafka hasn't done enough to be named Brian Daboll's full-time successor. Whoever inherits the job will feel good about having a long-term solution at the pass-rushing spot in Carter.
The 2-13 Giants are currently slated to possess the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the real-time order. Because they have rookie answers like Carter and Jaxson Dart at premier positions, they'd be able to trade the top pick to a QB-needy team in exchange for a package of draft capital. Ascending talents like Carter create possibilities.
Carter failed to meet expectations initially. He's exploded over the past three games, benefiting from a coaching change at defensive coordinator. Carter is beginning to produce like the high-volume pass rusher his tape at Penn State indicated he'd develop into.
