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The New York Giants enter 2025 walking a fine line between development and desperation. After stumbling to a 3-14 record last year, patience has worn thin across the franchise. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are under intense scrutiny. Drafting Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick signaled both a commitment to defensive dominance and an acknowledgment that their roster still needs a jolt of star power. Yet, they have too many holes to fill at once. As such, the front office may need to make a difficult decision: trade a proven piece for future flexibility.
The Giants have upgraded their roster at several key spots over the past two years, thanks largely to strong drafting. This spring, they added Carter, and the rookie has already flashed the disruptive traits of a future game-wrecker. That selection, however, puts former first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux in an interesting position. Despite his talent and production, he now looks like the most valuable trade chip Schoen could use to keep building ahead of the 2025 season.
The challenge is that Schoen and Daboll are under immense pressure to rebound from last year’s debacle. With that, the organization has little appetite for a full rebuild. Trading away one of their few established defensive playmakers may not align with those immediate goals. The Giants did pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option in April, keeping him under contract through 2026. Schoen also publicly stated he remains part of the long-term vision. Still, with Carter and newly acquired Brian Burns also in the mix, the roster math suggests that moving Thibodeaux might be more about practicality than preference.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the last-minute trade that the New York Giants must make before Week 1 of 2025 NFL season.
On the surface, moving Kayvon Thibodeaux feels risky. The former No. 5 overall pick is just 24 years old and already boasts 21 sacks across his first three seasons. That includes a career-high 11.5 in 2023. At 6’5 and 256 pounds, he has the size, athleticism, and explosiveness to anchor a defense for years.
Circumstances in New York complicate the picture, though. After investing heavily in Carter and trading for Burns, the Giants now have three starting-caliber edge rushers for two spots. Yes, they could rotate the trio and create NASCAR-style sub-packages. That said, the reality is that Thibodeaux will be due a market-resetting extension in 2026. That could exceed $25 million annually. It’s a steep price for a rotational piece, no matter how talented. For a front office already facing pressure to patch holes elsewhere, flipping Thibodeaux for draft capital may be the most logical way to keep building around quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers.
New York Giants: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux to Chicago Bears for two 2026 draft picks
The Bears make for an ideal partner. Chicago loaded...
