Big Blue View
As New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh began his post-practice media session on Tuesday, an unfamiliar voice shouted a question.
“How do you feel about that defensive front?” the questioner wanted to know.
Harbaugh sensed that there were hijinks afoot, looked around, and spotted Kayvon Thibodeaux hiding behind media members gathered to listen to the coach.
“How do I feel about the defensive front? The Thibodeaux guy has got me a little concerned back there,” Harbaugh deadpanned. “He looks shorter to me. Oh, there he is right there.”
Hearing Thibodeaux ask questions is apparently something Harbaugh, in his first year with the Giants, has gotten used to.
“Just so you know, this is par for the course for this guy right here,” Harbaugh said. “He is the number one question asker in all the meetings. Did you guys know that? Top question asker.”
When Harbaugh was done speaking, it was Thibodeaux’s turn to stand at the podium and answer questions. Thibodeaux has sometimes been a difficult interview over the years. Tuesday, though, he was thoughtful and expansive.
Thibodeaux, 25, certainly did not seem stressed by the constant trade speculation that swirls around him, his impending free agency after the 2026 season, the time share he could find himself in with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, or anything else.
Except playing well and helping the Giants win games.
“When you are self-aware, man, you can be honest,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m not crazy; I know why fans feel the way they feel. We’ve been losing. I didn’t have 10 sacks, 15 sacks. I had it one year, but it’s consistency, it’s greatness. I live for greatness. For me, I’ve never worried about what people think because I want to be great, too. If it ain’t great, trust me, I know.
“As far as everything around me, I’m on a mission, and I’m aware enough to know what I’ve got to continue to get better at, and I’m humble enough to say, hey, help me. Help me find what things I can do to get better or how I can do it. It’s been great for me. I’m happy I’m in a position where if I go play great, God is good. If I don’t go play great, God is still good. I’ve been able to accomplish my dream by being here, and now it’s time to go take everything I deserve.”
Both Harbaugh and Brian Burns expressed admiration for the way Thibodeaux has handled his situation.
Harbaugh called Thibodeaux “a premier player in the National Football League” and praised how he has handled all of the speculation about whether his future is or is not with the Giants.
“I think he’s handling it so well, with so much maturity,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know if you see every player handle it the way he has.
“Everybody’s gotta admit he’s handled this thing really the right way. He knows he needs to go out and have a...
