If you're anything like me, you're probably tired of revisiting the same conversation surrounding New York Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. To no one's fault but his own, his inability to bridge the gap between being 'just okay' and truly elite makes him one of the most polarizing players in regard to his future.
The constant whiplash of opinions and suggestions surrounding Thibodeaux is draining. One day analysts argue he should have been traded yesterday, and the next day, he's treated as if he's borderline untouchable -- which is it?
This non-stop back-and-forth makes it all but impossible to gauge his true value, whether we're talking about his next contract or any potential trade packages.
FanSided's Jake Beckman highlighted Thibs' precarious situation in his "Every NFL team's most important contract extension before training camp" article, saying that with the addition of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, Big Blue has a massive decision to make.
When you couple Beckman's breakdown with Spotrac's market projection, handing the 2022 fifth-overall pick a four-year, $85 million contract practically forces New York into a no-win situation. They would essentially be overpaying a rotational player -- unless he somehow recaptures his 11.5-sack form from 2023. A fan can dream.
The Giants can never have too many pass-rushers... unless
Look at how the Pittsburgh Steelers handled their pass-rushing logjam earlier this offseason. They flipped conventional thinking on its head by signing non-starter Nick Herbig to a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension.
The message from Pittsburgh was clear: you can never have too many pass-rushers, and smart teams pay top dollar to keep a strong rotation together. Paying premium money for a healthy, game-wrecking Thibodeaux wouldn’t be a mistake if he gives the Giants the level of defensive dominance he's previously shown.
But the anti-Thibs crowd wants him gone, ignoring the potentially toxic cycle it could create. If general manager Joe Schoen actually moves on and lets him figure it out elsewhere, those same exact fans will be the very first ones complaining that the G-Men always get rid of their best homegrown talent for nothing.
It's a brutal, no-win spot for Schoen and Co., and at this point, nobody knows how this story is going to end.
The sentiment right now is that the fanbase would finally come together if another team stepped up and offered a juicy Day 2 draft pick for the former Oregon standout. Securing that kind of draft capital would give the majority of fans the clean break they're looking for.
But finding a trading partner willing to give up that kind of value for an inconsistent and oft-injured defender is a lot easier said than done.
For now, the G-Men will make Thibs play out his $14.751 million fifth-year option. There have been no extension talks ahead of training camp, effectively forcing him into the ultimate prove-it season under new head coach John Harbaugh.
The ball is entirely in Thibs' court to bring home the bacon or get moved via trade.
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