The NFL trade deadline always brings its share of noise, and this year, the New York Giants are somewhat surprisingly right in the middle of it. At 2-7 and desperately looking for answers, just about every name on the roster was bound to come up in conversation. But when teams called about pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, they got a pretty quick answer.
The 2022 fifth overall pick hasn’t exactly set the league on fire this season. Through nine games, Thibodeaux is sitting at 2.5 sacks — a far cry from his breakout 11.5 in 2023. With Brian Burns dominating and rookie Abdul Carter working his way into the rotation, it’s fair to wonder where the 24-year-old fits long term. Apparently, so did a few other front offices around the league.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic:
"The Giants do not plan to move pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. They previously told inquiring teams that the price would be a first-round pick."
Giants send clear message on Kayvon Thibodeaux’s trade value
Nobody’s likely giving up a first-rounder for Thibs right now, and general manager Joe Schoen and Co. know that. Schoen has already seen what happens when the G-Men start parting ways with young talent, and he shouldn't be interested in repeating the same mistakes.
The fourth-year pass-rusher's production has dipped, but his role remains important. He’s still logging a considerable amount of defensive snaps, ranks among the team’s best run defenders, and gives much-maligned defensive coordinator Shane Bowen flexibility off the edge.
With the defense already sitting near the bottom of the league against the run, moving him now would be the worst-case scenario.
Big Blue also controls Thibodeaux through 2026 thanks to his fifth-year option they picked up in the offseason, which makes this more of an evaluation year than a crossroads. The trio of Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter might not have clicked yet, but it’s far too early to blow it up. Schoen’s message was simple: if you want one of our young pass rushers, you’re going to have to overpay.
The timing of the rumor may have sparked conversation, but the takeaway is straightforward — the Giants aren’t in a hurry to move on from Kayvon Thibodeaux. Whether he becomes part of the long-term core or a trade piece down the line, they’re finally valuing their assets correctly. And that’s just good business... finally.