Abdul Carter breaks silence after surprise bench decision

If the New York Giants were hoping to quiet the noise surrounding a lost season, their latest outing did the opposite. A blowout defeat to the New England Patriots not only displayed the team’s on-field issues, but also produced one of the most puzzling coaching decisions of the year: the sudden benching of standout rookie linebacker Abdul Carter.

Carter, a high-profile draft addition expected to anchor the Giants’ defense for years to come, spent much of the game watching from the sideline as the Patriots piled on the points.

Kafka explained the Abdul Carter move

Interim head coach Mike Kafka didn’t wait for speculation to spread. When asked postgame about why Carter was sidelined, Kafka took full ownership of the decision.

“That was my decision,” Kafka said, stopping short of offering specifics. “Those are tough calls. Nothing to do with the kid. I just thought it was the best thing for the team.”

He acknowledged that Carter was understandably unhappy, but maintained he would make the same call again based on the circumstances. Still, for a rookie who was drafted to be a foundational defensive piece, the explanation was not very satisfying.

Carter’s frustration boils over

Carter wasn’t interested in sugarcoating how he felt. When asked about the benching, the linebacker didn’t dive into details, but the edge in his voice said enough.

“S**t happens,” he said. “I’m not going into all that. You asked me the same question, I just answered.”

A second disciplinary issue in three weeks

While interim head coach Mike Kafka initially framed the move as simply a “coach’s decision,” the backstory quickly emerged: Carter was benched for the entire first quarter due to tardiness. It was the second time in three games the rookie has been disciplined, following a missed walkthrough that sidelined him for the opening drive against Green Bay.

Kafka said the call was entirely his, repeating “my decision” several times when pressed. And the consequences were immediate. Carter sat out the Giants’ first two defensive series, both of which resulted in New England points. By the time he stepped onto the field, the Giants trailed 17–0.

But following Carter’s blunt response about being left off the field was an admission of responsibility. “I let my team down,” Carter said. “They scored 17 points while I was out. I take responsibility for that.”

Veteran leaders echoed the sentiment while trying to support the young standout. “He’s hardheaded,” defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said. “We’ve all been late before, but you’ve got to learn from it. He will.”

Once Carter finally entered the game, his impact was instant. He recorded a sack on Drake Maye in his first defensive series and finished with four tackles, flashing the explosiveness that made him the No. 3 overall pick. Despite modest season numbers (17 solo tackles and 1.5 sacks), Carter has consistently shown burst and physicality, even while adjusting to the demands of the NFL.

But Monday’s incident reinforces a reality many rookies face. The talent gets you drafted, but the professionalism keeps you on the field. Carter himself acknowledged as much.

“I have to be better. Take pride in what I do. Be where I’m supposed to be,” he said.

As the Giants play out the final stretch, the hope is that Carter’s second benching truly is the wake-up call he says it is. Because if Monday proved anything, it’s that when he’s on the field, he can change a drive. When he’s not, the Giants feel it immediately.

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