As soon as the New York Giants selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third-overall pick, all eyes turned to Kayvon Thibodeaux. The fourth-year pass-rusher was immediately thrown into trade rumors, even after they exercised his fifth-year option.
Ultimately, general manager Joe Schoen kept the 24-year-old on the roster in the hopes of forming one of the league’s most fearsome pass-rushing units.
Well, it took four games, but it’s starting to look like Schoen’s vision is coming to fruition. After demolishing a depleted Los Angeles Chargers offensive line, Big Blue’s defensive front is starting to take scary shape. By the time the clock read 0:00, the G-Men totaled 27 quarterback pressures and 12 quarterback hits against Justin Herbert.
Alongside Carter and Brian Burns, Thibodeaux has looked like a whole new player in 2025. His early-season dominance might’ve officially ended those pesky trade rumors once and for all.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is finally proving his value to the Giants
There’s an argument to be made that because he’s playing well, the Giants should capitalize on his trade value. It’s a sound argument. New York could probably get at least a second-round pick or a starting-caliber player for Thibs. That’s not nothing.
Additionally, Carter and Burns aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. The G-Men just selected the 21-year-old rookie this past draft, and Burns still has three years left on a five-year, $141 million deal. Meanwhile, KT has a year and a half left on his rookie contract, with an interesting extension on the horizon. Moving him makes a lot of sense.
Even still, why now? The team is coming off an impressive Week 4 win, where the trio gave Herbert fits all afternoon. Imagine if that performance was just the tip of the iceberg. They could win a lot more games than anyone expects.
Pro Football Focus has the pass-rusher ranked 29th out of 165 eligible players, with a 75.8 overall grade. He’s posted 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits through four games, and he’s quietly producing like a former top-five pick should.
Thibodeaux’s name will likely be in any and all trade rumors as the season progresses, but one thing is clear: the Giants’ pass-rush is arriving. Blowing it up before it has a chance to breathe wouldn’t just be short-sighted — it would be the exact kind of move the old regime would’ve made. Schoen took a bet on Thibs, and so far, it looks like the right call.