Wide receiver Malik Nabers, the sixth overall pick in 2024, wanted to wear No. 1. But the number was retired for Ray Flaherty. Ultimately, Nabers was allowed to wear it, with the blessing of Flaherty’s family.

New York Giants’ rookie Abdul Carter won’t get to wear Phil Simms’ retired No. 11. Carter is now 0 for 2 in efforts to don retired jersey numbers. First, Lawrence Taylor rebuffed Carter’s effort to unretire the No. 56. Now, his hopes to wear the No. 11 that he also wore at Penn State have been dashed.

Since being drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft by the New York Giants, Abdul Carter has been surrounded by jersey number storylines. Right after being drafted, Carter showed interest in the idea of wearing Lawrence Taylor's retired No. 56 jersey. It didn't take long for Carter to completely shut down that idea.