Abdul Carter’s Rookie Meltdown Deepens as Giants Hit Breaking Point

The New York Giants’ 2025 season has been defined by instability. At 2-11, they have already fired their head coach and defensive coordinator, and the defense has become a significant weakness. The team drafted Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, and the decision was widely described as “chalk.” While Carter has shown disruptive ability, he has not met expectations and has now been benched twice in three weeks for missing team activities.

Before the season began, sportsbooks projected modest improvement for New York. BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, and FanDuel listed the Giants’ regular-season win total at 5.5, with “make playoffs” odds between +500 and +800 and Super Bowl odds between +15000 and +20000. After the team fell to 2-11, futures markets shifted dramatically. Updated projections listed New York at +100000 to win the Super Bowl with a projected 2-15 finish, and an adjusted win total of 4.5, where the under is favored.

Carter began the year as the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, opening at +250. Early-season odds remained favorable, ranging from +180 to +225, supported by 13 quarterback pressures, eight quarterback hits, and 16 pass-rush wins through six games. By early December, BetMGM listed Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger at -750, with Carter at +2000. Oddsshark listed Carter at +1800.

Betting lines for the Giants’ December 1 game at New England positioned them as 7.5-point underdogs, with a total around 46.5, across Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. Previews cited New York’s 2-10 record, their 0-7 road record, and the return of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart from concussion protocol. New England won 33-15, covering the spread.

During that game, Carter did not play in the first quarter. Chauncey Golston started while Carter remained on the sideline, and it was later confirmed that he was benched for missing a special teams meeting — his second benching in three weeks. The situation was complicated by the fact that Carter is part of the punt return unit some weeks and not others, contributing to the confusion.

After the game, Carter addressed the situation directly. He said, “S— happens. … I mean, I let my team down today. First two drives I was out, they scored 17 points. I take responsibility for that. I gotta be out there. I gotta do better.” Interim head coach Mike Kafka said the benching was “strictly my decision.” He also said, “I’m sure he wasn’t happy about it, which I understand, but I thought that was the best thing for the team and it was my decision to move forward with it.”

New England took advantage of Carter’s absence. Their first drive covered 49 yards and ended in a field goal, and their next drive included a 3-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Kayshon Boutte. Between those drives, Marcus Jones returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown.

Carter entered during the second quarter and immediately recorded a sack on third-and-1 to force a punt. Brian Burns described the missed meeting as an honest mistake but said Carter needed to take accountability.

Earlier in the season, Carter had been benched for the opening series of the Week 11 loss to Green Bay after missing a walkthrough. A team source said Carter’s lateness had been a trend during his rookie year and that former coach Brian Daboll allowed it to slide. Carter admitted to missing the walkthrough and said it was an honest mistake related to getting treatment.

Teammates and former Giants have been direct with their feedback. Defensive co-captain Dexter Lawrence said he wants to see Carter “grow up.” Carter responded, “The guys who say that are guys I look up to, guys I respect. If they say something like that, I’ve got to look at myself first and say ‘What am I doing? How can I get better?’” Carl Banks also said it was time for him to grow up. Carter, referencing that criticism and his stated desire to be compared to Lawrence Taylor, said he aims to show improvement through his on-field response.

Once on the field, Carter produced a sack, a run disruption, and a drawn holding penalty. He said the defense’s breakdowns resulted from mistakes on plays the team could control. His season to this point includes 42 total pressures and 24 quick pressures in recent evaluations.

Carter said he plans to use the upcoming bye week to self-reflect and return stronger for the final four games of the season.