After being the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, a two-time All-Pac-12 honoree, and an All-American in college, Kayvon Thibodeaux was expected by many to be next in a long line of great EDGE rushers. But since being drafted No. 5 overall out of Oregon in 2022, Thibodeaux’s NFL career has been largely underwhelming.
Despite a promising 11.5-sack season under then-defensive coordinator Wink Martindale in 2023, Thibodeaux often failed to win cleanly off the edge in an injury-shortened 2024. He struggled to replicate that success with new DC Shane Bowen, as his numbers regressed to just 5.5 sacks while missing five games.
The G-Men expected him to become the next Michael Strahan, the next Jason Pierre-Paul, yet he has only recorded 21 sacks in three seasons– a far cry from that superstar upside.
But that could be about to change entering his fourth NFL season. The Westlake Village, California native is entering the most favorable situation of his career, now lining up opposite 2025 first-rounder Abdul Carter and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.
Following the opening day of mandatory minicamp, Thibodeaux called working alongside Carter and Burns a “constant growth mindset" as he looks to firmly establish himself as a piece of the future in New York.
The 24-year-old’s life has been made easier, and he is ready to capitalize.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is eyeing a long-standing franchise record
Thibodeaux has his eyes on Strahan’s NFL sack record of 22.5 sacks that was set back in 2001 and matched by Steelers EDGE TJ Watt back in 2021. In a Wednesday media session following the final day of minicamp, Thibodeaux mentioned he was still aiming high.
"Every time I come out on the field, I want to have more sacks than I ever have, more tackles than I ever have,” Thibodeaux told SNY. “I'm still going for the record, I'm going for the record every year."
With Carter and Burns drawing their fair share of attention from offensive lines, Thibodeaux should see more one-on-one opportunities than ever before. It is the perfect recipe for a breakout season, especially as he nears the end of his rookie deal. Bowen has emphasized creating chaos up front, and he finally has the supporting cast to thrive in that kind of scheme.
Not to mention that like Deonte Banks, it is his second season in Bowen’s scheme, meaning that there should be a new sense of comfort for the 6-foot-5, 258-pound Thibodeaux.
While Big Blue tied for eighth in the league with 45.0 sacks last season, Thibodeaux openly acknowledged that he left meat on the bone last season.
He admitted that he wants to finish plays better after missing out on several opportunities in the backfield in his third season.
"I had five half-sacks, which should've been whole sacks,” he said. “I had four or five missed tackles at the sack point, so just finishing my plays and being able to come out on top of every situation.”
The Giants haven’t had a defensive player be named a First-Team All-Pro since Landon Collins in 2016. With Thibodeaux healthier, more experienced, and surrounded by difference-makers, a bounce-back season is well within reach for the former top-five pick.
Now it’s his time to turn that looming pressure back into production.