The New York Giants have gone all-in on revamping their pass rush over the past 18 months. They traded for Brian Burns in 2024 and then doubled down this spring by selecting Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Dexter Lawrence already anchoring the middle, the Giants’ pass-rush group is loaded with top-end talent.
That’s great news for the defense as a whole, but it creates some uncertainty around Kayvon Thibodeaux. The former top-five pick is coming off a frustrating 2024 season that included a wrist injury, inconsistent play, and a lot of speculation about what comes next. His future with the G-Men has already been a topic of conversation, and now, it’s starting to sound like a decision could be coming sooner rather than later.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently broke down every team’s post-draft outlook. He pointed directly at Thibodeaux when listing the Giants’ top trade assets, writing: “The Giants have the least amount of cap space in the league, so some kind of move should be coming to alleviate some of that. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a prime trade candidate after they drafted Abdul Carter, but Jameis Winston could be appealing to another team as well.”
Abdul Carter’s arrival could create a major shakeup
Thibodeaux has tallied 21 sacks across his first three NFL seasons. His 2023 campaign was easily his most productive when he cashed in 11.5 sacks and looked like a breakout star in the making. But last year’s step back, mixed with a crowded depth chart, puts him in a tough spot entering 2025. He’s still under contract through 2026 after the Giants exercised his fifth-year option, but the team’s financial situation makes every big name worth evaluating.
Carter is expected to contribute heavily in his rookie season. His speed, twitch, and versatility give the Giants even more firepower on the edge. That depth could give the front office enough confidence to explore moving Thibodeaux while his value remains solid. With the team still needing help in other areas — especially the interior offensive line — a trade might bring back a meaningful piece or future draft capital.
Thibodeaux’s cap hit for 2025 is just under $10 million. Trading him before June 1 would free up almost $5 million in space. The Giants already restructured Brian Burns’ deal to sign Carter, but there’s still work to be done. The roster is tight, and the margin for financial gymnastics is slim. That’s where Thibodeaux’s name comes back into play.
There’s no doubt New York believes in their pass-rush potential, but carrying three high-investment edge defenders comes at a cost. Carter is younger, cheaper, and now part of the team’s long-term vision. Burns is locked into a massive deal. Thibodeaux is talented and still ascending, but if the Giants are serious about addressing other needs and easing their cap strain, a move involving No. 5 might be the clearest path forward.
It wouldn’t be a popular decision, and it wouldn’t come without its fair share of risk. But it also might be the biggest lever the front office can pull to retool the rest of the roster.