As the NFL Scouting Combine buzzes with excitement in Indianapolis, Kayvon Thibodeaux's future with the New York Giants has become a hot topic. While General Manager Joe Schoen mentioned that the plan "right now" is for Thibodeaux to remain with the team in 2026, league insiders are hinting at a different scenario for the former No. 5 overall pick.
Giants Eye Potential Trade for Thibodeaux
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the chatter in Indianapolis suggests that the Giants might be more inclined to trade Thibodeaux rather than extend his contract.
“The Giants have a surplus of impact defensive linemen with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and it seems more likely they’ll try to find a trade partner for Thibodeaux than extend the 2022 first-round pick ahead of his fifth-year-option season,” Graziano reported.
The challenge is whether the Giants can find a team willing to take on Thibodeaux's salary in a market brimming with edge rushers. The combine's conversations indicate the Giants are prepared to explore their options.
Navigating a Crowded Market
Trading Thibodeaux isn't without its hurdles. The 2026 offseason is rich with edge rushers, both in free agency and the draft, which could dampen demand for Thibodeaux.
The “Right Now” Factor
During his Tuesday presser, Joe Schoen expressed confidence in Thibodeaux: “Right now, Kayvon’s gonna be with us… you can’t have enough pass rushers.”
However, in the dynamic environment of the NFL Combine, “right now” often means “until something better comes along.”
Schoen’s cautious approach follows a challenging 2025 season for Thibodeaux, who recorded just 2.5 sacks and 25 tackles in 10 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him.
With rookie Abdul Carter emerging as a standout alongside the high-priced Brian Burns, Thibodeaux is starting to seem like a luxury the Giants might not afford.
Stat Breakdown
- Brian Burns: 17 games, 16.5 sacks, 22 TFL, 53 pressures, 81% snap count
- Abdul Carter: 17 games, 5.0 sacks, 12 TFL, 66 pressures, 78% snap count
- Kayvon Thibodeaux: 10 games, 2.5 sacks, 3 TFL, 32 pressures, 68% snap count
The $15 Million Question
The main driver behind the trade rumors is Thibodeaux’s hefty 2026 cap hit. With the Giants having exercised his fifth-year option, he’s set to count $14.75 million against the cap, fully guaranteed.
However, a trade before June 1st would let the Giants clear this figure from their books without a dead cap hit.
Moving Thibodeaux’s salary might be tricky with a free-agent market featuring names like Trey Hendrickson and Odafe Oweh. But if Schoen can snag a Day 2 draft pick, it could be a strategic win for a team looking to bolster its offensive line and address other needs.