After what has felt like an eternity of speculation where it seemed like a given that Kayvon Thibodeaux would be dealt, things have really slowed down on the Thibodeaux trade front. And I'm not sure if it's a lack of interest or a lack of initiative from Joe Schoen and John Harbaugh that is to blame.
It seems like a bit of both, but I still don't understand the rationale for keeping him. Abdul Carter and Brian Burns are the edge rushers of the future in New York, and if Schoen knows he isn't going to pay Thibs, they may as well try to recoup a third or fourth-round pick in exchange for him.
Now that the chaos and desperation from the opening wave of free agency is now in the books, the Giants will likely have a hard time trading him. However, a trade materializing is better late than never, so even if the market is drying up a bit, the demand for proven edge rushers will never truly go away.
And that demand for pass-rushers is why Last Word on Sports' Alain Pierre thinks the Carolina Panthers could look to swing a trade for the 25-year-old before the NFL Draft next month while they continue the offseason overhaul of their defense. And on the surface, this makes sense for them.
The New York Giants need to consider trading Kayvon Thibodeaux before they can't anymore
If the Panthers are one of the only teams involved, Schoen better pick up the phone. We all know by now his stubbornness has gotten in the way of Big Blue making good business decisions, but with Thibs set to be a free agent in 2027, the clock is ticking for the window to extend him or trade him.
Carolina already broke the bank to sign both Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd this offseason, so what's one more big-ticket acquisition gonna do? They boasted one of the NFL's worst defenses in 2025, so if they're willing to offer a third-round pick, that's much better than letting him walk for nothing.
The Oregon product logged 11.5 sacks in 2023, but his role has decreased in recent seasons, notably since Burns was brought in two years ago.
The 2022 first-round pick is still a good player, but he badly needs a scenery change to unlock his potential as a top-five pick on a team with more immediate playoff aspirations. And after winning the NFC South (and nearly knocking off the Los Angeles Rams during Wild Card Weekend), the Cats have that to offer him.
My only question about the Panthers as a landing spot is if they'd be willing to extend him after shelling out a contract worth $30 million a year to Phillips. Then again, I don't even think Thibodeaux would even sniff $20 million annually, so if they're willing to take a chance on him, what's the risk for the Giants?