Where did it all go wrong for former NY Jets RB Michael Carter?

On Tuesday, the NY Jets announced that the team had released once-promising running back Michael Carter. In nine games played this season, Carter had rushed just eight times for 38 yards.

Carter was also targeted 20 times, picking up 15 receptions for 68 yards. There was a time when Carter looked like a potential long-term building block. So, what happened? What changed?

Why did the NY Jets give up on Michael Carter?

Michael Carter hit the ground running in his rookie season. He finished with 639 rushing yards on 147 attempts and four rushing touchdowns. Carter also picked up an efficient 325 receiving yards on 36 receptions.

Unfortunately, Carter just never looked the same after his rookie season. In his second year in the NFL, Carter finished with 402 rushing yards (3.5 yards per carry) and 288 receiving yards. Between a lot of drops and not being as reliable as he once was, this marked the beginning of the end for Carter's time on the Jets.

When the Jets drafted Breece Hall, it quickly became evident that Hall would be the team's new RB1, and it wasn't going to be much of a contest. Fast forward to this year, with the acquisitions of Dalvin Cook and promising rookie Israel Abanikanda, there just wasn't enough space for Carter in the running back room.

Carter was one of the most beloved members of the Jets locker room. He also quickly established himself as a fan favorite early in his rookie season. Unfortunately, this was the right move to make, given his on-field performances as of late.

With Carter now in Arizona, he should be given every opportunity to make an impact on his new team. However, it is now Israel Abanikanda's time in New York, and he could be the one to reignite a dormant offense.