The New York Giants’ salary cap situation reached a critical point, forcing the front office into creative financial maneuvering to accommodate a prized rookie.
The latest chapter in the Giants’ ongoing cap management saga came as they worked to finalize the deal for Abdul Carter, an edge rusher who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Giants restructured the deal of veteran edge rusher Brian Burns to accommodate Carter’s $8.2 million rookie charge.
“In order to get far enough under the cap to complete the signing of Abdul Carter, the Giants restructured the contract of Brian Burns by converting $10M+ of his base salary into a signing bonus,” Field Yates of ESPN wrote on X.
In order to get far enough under the cap to complete the signing of Abdul Carter, the Giants restructured the contract of Brian Burns by converting $10M+ of his base salary into a signing bonus.
Burns and Carter will soon tag team to make life difficult on opposing QBs. https://t.co/xo2SQukc0L
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 22, 2025
Carter’s new contract spans four years and $45.2 million, including a $29.5 million signing bonus.
He joins fellow draft picks Marcus Mbow, Thomas Fidone II and Korie Black as signed rookies.
First-round quarterback Jaxson Dart, third-round defensive tackle Darius Alexander and fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo remain unsigned.
The NFL’s slotted contract structure locks in most terms based on draft order, leaving only details like offset language for negotiation.
Many analysts considered Carter the top overall player in the draft, and the Giants, with their rich history of dominant edge rushers, may have added their next franchise cornerstone.
