Abdul Carter's Rookie Year Hits Another Rough Patch, Giants Legend Carl Banks Weighs In
Abdul Carter’s rookie campaign with the New York Giants has been anything but smooth. The highly-touted linebacker - taken third overall in this year’s draft - found himself on the sidelines once again to start Monday night’s game, a 33-15 loss to the New England Patriots.
And this wasn’t a one-off. It marked the second time in three weeks that Carter wasn’t on the field for the opening defensive series, raising more questions than answers about what’s going on behind the scenes.
After the game, Carter didn’t exactly clear the air. When asked about the situation, his response was blunt, laced with frustration, and didn’t offer much clarity. What’s clear, though, is that the Giants are dealing with more than just growing pains when it comes to their top pick.
Carl Banks - a cornerstone of the Giants’ legendary defenses in the ‘80s and early ‘90s - didn’t hold back during the team’s radio broadcast. His message was direct and, frankly, hard to ignore: “It’s time for the kid to grow up,” Banks said. “When you have these types of things and you don’t care enough to be engaged and you have to be disciplined twice, how many other times has this happened and they just kind of overlooked it?”
A pretty simple criticism from Carl Banks on Abdul Carter's lack of discipline tonight: "It's time for the kid to grow up." pic.twitter.com/VUSbn7SfTQ
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) December 2, 2025
That’s not the kind of commentary you typically hear from team-affiliated voices, especially when it comes to a rookie with Carter’s upside. But it speaks to the level of concern around the organization - and just how far Carter still has to go in terms of maturity and professionalism.
Let’s be real: this isn’t where any team wants to be with a top-three pick before his first season is even in the books. The Giants invested heavily in Carter, not just because of his physical gifts, but because they believed he could be a cornerstone of their defense for years to come. And while the talent is still very much there, the early returns have been more frustrating than promising.
The silver lining, if there is one, is that Carter’s issues haven’t exactly derailed a playoff push - the Giants are 2-11 and likely headed for another high draft pick. In a season where the team as a whole is struggling, Carter’s situation isn’t the biggest fire to put out. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth addressing - especially now, before bad habits become long-term problems.
It’s also worth remembering: Carter’s not the first blue-chip rookie to hit a few speed bumps. The transition to the NFL is steep, and not every player figures it out right away. The league is littered with examples of young stars who needed a wake-up call before they locked in and lived up to their potential.
The hope - for Carter, for the Giants, and for a fan base desperate for something to believe in - is that this is just part of the process. But for that to happen, there has to be growth.
Accountability. A willingness to learn from mistakes and prove that the talent can be matched by maturity.
There’s still time. But the clock is ticking.