Kayvon Thibodeaux and the Giants: A Crossroads Four Years in the Making
When the Giants made Kayvon Thibodeaux the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the expectation was clear: elite edge rusher, cornerstone defender, game-changer. Four seasons later, that vision hasn’t materialized. Instead, Thibodeaux’s tenure in New York has been a roller coaster of flashes, frustrations, and now, an uncertain future.
He’s been sidelined since Week 10 with a shoulder injury, and there's a real chance he misses Week 16 against the Vikings. It's the latest in a string of setbacks that have interrupted any sustained momentum. And while the talent is still there, the Giants may finally be facing the reality that their once-prized prospect might not be part of their long-term plans.
A Tough Call for Joe Schoen
This is no small decision for general manager Joe Schoen. Thibodeaux was his first-ever draft pick after taking over the reins in New York.
First picks carry weight - they’re statements of vision, belief, and direction. Letting go of that player just a few years in?
That’s tough. But sometimes, tough calls are the right ones.
Schoen has shown a tendency to hold onto his draft investments - players like Evan Neal, Jalin Hyatt, and Deonte Banks are still developing under his watch. Thibodeaux, while not in exactly the same situation, fits a familiar pattern: high pick, high expectations, inconsistent production.
And with the Giants selecting Abdul Carter third overall in the 2025 Draft - another explosive, high-upside linebacker - the writing may already be on the wall.
The Rise of Abdul Carter and the Arrival of Brian Burns
Carter had his own growing pains early in the season - minor suspensions, missed meetings, the kind of rookie missteps that raise eyebrows. But then came Week 15, and with it, a breakout performance that showed exactly why the Giants invested so heavily in him.
He wasn’t just good. He was dominant.
And in doing so, he may have shifted the edge-rushing equation in New York.
Then there’s Brian Burns. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with Carolina, Burns has brought a different level of explosiveness off the edge.
His arrival hasn’t elevated Thibodeaux - quite the opposite. Since the trade, Thibodeaux has logged just 8.0 sacks in 22 games, including only 2.5 this season.
That’s a steep drop from his 11.5-sack sophomore campaign, and it’s hard to ignore how much Burns has cut into his role.
The Giants didn’t bring in Burns to be a complementary piece. They brought him in to be a star. And right now, he’s delivering more consistently than Thibodeaux.
The Contract Clock Is Ticking
There’s also the business side of things. The Giants picked up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option after drafting Carter, keeping him under team control through 2026.
But after that? He’s eligible for a big payday.
According to Spotrac, his projected market value is in the neighborhood of four years, $82 million.
That’s elite pass-rusher money - and at the moment, Thibodeaux isn’t producing like one. For a team trying to build around rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, that kind of cap commitment to a rotational player just doesn’t make sense.
The Giants currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. There’s already talk of trading back to stockpile assets.
If that’s the direction they go, moving Thibodeaux for additional picks - especially on Day 2 - could be part of a larger roster reset. Dart is the future, and surrounding him with young talent on both sides of the ball has to be the priority.
Time for a Fresh Start?
This isn’t about giving up on Thibodeaux. It’s about giving him - and the team - a fresh start.
At 25, he’s still young, still athletic, and still has the upside that made him a top-five pick. There are plenty of teams that could use a pass rusher with his physical tools and untapped potential.
If one of them is willing to bet on a bounce-back, the Giants should be open for business.
No hard feelings. Sometimes, things just don’t work out the way you draw them up.
But with Carter surging, Burns entrenched, and Dart’s development front and center, the Giants have a clear path forward. It might be time to take it - and let Thibodeaux find his elsewhere.