When you look back at this offseason, New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has been mentioned in plenty of trade whispers and rumors. Despite all the chatter, the Giants haven’t moved him, and he’s still firmly in blue heading into the year.
Thibodeaux, a former first-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, is entering a pivotal season. Some believe he hasn’t quite reached his full potential since being taken fifth overall. Over the past two offseasons, the Giants have given him plenty of help, trading for veteran Brian Burns and drafting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in April. Adding Carter to a front that already features Burns, Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence has many viewing the Giants as a potential top-10 defensive unit in 2025.
Even with all that buzz about the pass rush and how this trio could wreak havoc on opposing offenses, Thibodeaux’s name still pops up in trade talk. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently mentioned him as the one player the Giants should deal in his “player each NFL team should trade” piece, saying:
“Trading the 2022 first-round pick could be a terrific move for the rebuilding Giants. After recording 17 sacks over the last two seasons, he should have decent trade value, and the Giants could use extra draft capital to put toward Dart's future supporting cast—they traded a 2026 third-round pick as part of their move to get Dart.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux's name still can't escape trade talks
When the Giants drafted Carter third overall in April, it sparked plenty of speculation about a possible Thibodeaux trade. Instead of exploring that route, the team doubled down on him as a core piece of the defense, picking up his fifth-year option for 2026, making it clear he wasn’t going anywhere before the season.
Could a trade happen in the future, with only one year left on his deal after this season? Absolutely. With Carter and Burns locked in, Thibodeaux could become the odd man out if the front office decides against a long-term extension. But that’s a decision for later.
Related: Abdul Carter may have already changed what’s possible for the Giants defense
For now, Thibodeaux remains a key part of the 2025 pass rush. Young edge rushers capable of double-digit sacks hold significant value, and at 24, he’s already done it, recording 11.5 in 2023 and showing flashes of being a true game-wrecker. At this point, he shouldn’t be viewed as a trade chip, but rather as a defensive weapon on a unit with sky-high potential.