Giants, Kayvon Thibodeaux Head Toward Crossroads as Rookie Talent Emerges
Kayvon Thibodeaux’s NFL journey hasn’t exactly followed the script the Giants envisioned when they made him the fifth overall pick in the 2022 Draft. Four seasons in, and the flashes of dominance that once made him a top-tier prospect have been too few and far between. Now sidelined since Week 10 with a shoulder injury - and with Week 16 still in doubt - the former Oregon star finds himself at a career crossroads in New York.
Injuries have certainly played their part, but availability is only part of the equation. Even when healthy, Thibodeaux hasn’t consistently delivered on the edge. And with the Giants investing heavily in the pass rush - both through the draft and via trade - the writing may be on the wall.
Let’s be real: the Giants didn’t draft Abdul Carter third overall in 2025 to have him ride the bench. And after some early hiccups - including a few rookie mistakes like tardiness and missed meetings - Carter has started to settle in.
His Week 15 performance was exactly what fans were hoping for when his name was called back in April. It wasn’t just good - it was the kind of breakout that changes depth charts.
That emergence, combined with the presence of Brian Burns, has only made Thibodeaux’s role more uncertain. Burns, acquired in a splashy trade with the Panthers, has become a cornerstone on the edge.
While Thibodeaux was coming off an 11.5-sack season when Burns arrived, the pairing hasn’t elevated his play. If anything, it’s diminished it.
Since the trade, Thibodeaux has managed just 8.0 sacks in 22 games - including a modest 2.5 this season.
The Giants did pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option earlier this year, locking him in through the 2026 season. But that decision came before Carter’s rise and at a time when the team still viewed Thibodeaux as a potential long-term piece. Now, with his projected market value hovering around four years and $82 million, the idea of committing big money to a rotational player doesn’t exactly fit the Giants’ current trajectory.
Especially not with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looking like the real deal. With the No. 1 overall pick in hand and a roster still in need of reinforcements, New York has a chance to reshape its foundation. Trading back for more draft capital is already on the table - and moving Thibodeaux could be another step in that direction.
There’s no doubt Thibodeaux still has upside. He’s 25, long, athletic, and has shown he can get to the quarterback when things are clicking. But with Carter and Burns locked in, and a potential payday looming, the Giants may be better served flipping him for picks and reallocating resources around their young quarterback.
It wouldn’t be a bitter ending - just a logical one. Sometimes, a fresh start is the best move for both team and player. If a pass-rush-needy team is willing to roll the dice on Thibodeaux’s potential, the Giants should be ready to pick up the phone.
No drama. No regrets. Just business - and maybe the next step forward for both sides.