It wasn't long ago that New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux seemed like he was on borrowed time. A positional logjam rendered him the odd man out — or so we thought.
The Giants' situation has changed, and with it, so has Thibodeaux's. He may no longer be as expendable as the months of trade speculation suggest, but why, you may ask? John William Harbaugh.
Early indications are that Thibodeaux's standing in New York has improved with Harbaugh at the helm. However, we may have just gotten the most obvious sign yet.
Thibodeaux addressed the media following the second day of the Giants' mandatory minicamp, and it sounds like he and Harbaugh have a great relationship.
"As far as Coach Harbaugh, he's a maniac," Thibodeaux stated. "He's obsessed. I love it ... he's so great at explaining things ... this is the best I've felt coming into a new year."
Kayvon Thibodeaux's budding bromance with John Harbaugh may end trade buzz for good
All it took was one long-winded comment from Thibodeaux to make his appreciation for Harbaugh known. Their personalities fit each other; they're madmen (in the best way possible) who see the world through a similar lens, as the 2022 No. 5 overall pick alluded to.
About 50-some pounds and five inches separate the talented pass rusher and Super Bowl-winning sideline general. Yet, Thibodeaux believes Harbaugh is "kind of like [him]," in the sense that they can both be prone to rambling.
There appears to be a mutual sense of trust and respect brewing. Harbaugh jokingly poked at Thibodeaux's tendency to ask questions in meetings when the latter crashed the former's press conference (h/t SNY).
Harbaugh has made it crystal clear that he will not keep players against their will. Those who don't want to be members of the G-Men won't be. Just ask former franchise defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Evidently, Thibodeaux has expressed a desire to be part of the Giants' turnaround. He's handled the uncertainty surrounding his future admirably. The Oregon product has bought into Harbaugh's vision and could be rewarded in due course.
Related: Kayvon Thibodeaux is making a lot of offseason chatter look foolish
Coming off a down, injury-marred campaign, Thibodeaux ostensibly hopes to get back on track under new leadership. He recorded 25 tackles (five for loss), nine quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and two pass deflections across 10 games last season. His efforts yielded a middling 66.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade, ranking 61st out of 115 qualified edge defenders.
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Thibodeaux is financially motivated to bounce back. Meanwhile, there have been no assurances to date that he and Big Blue will come to terms on a long-term extension.
For what it's worth, though, Thibodeaux and Harbaugh have reportedly "really hit it off," per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, as proven by the optics.
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