Big Blue View
If that were to happen, would it be another move the Giants might come to regret?
The idea that the New York Giants will, could, or should trade edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux during the 2025 season just won’t die.
The latest to raise the idea of the Giants moving on from Thibodeaux is Aaron Schatz of ESPN. In proposing one final offseason move for each team, Schatz says the Giants should move on from the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Giants now have three starting edge rushers for two spots after drafting Abdul Carter to go along with Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. Thibodeaux has two years left on his rookie contract, and he’ll need an extension after the 2025 season. The team won’t want to pay him at the going price for starting edge rushers if he’s not going to be starting.
Yes, New York can use an edge rusher rotation and get plenty of value out of him. It can create a NASCAR-style package where one of its edge rushers moves inside on third down. But the Giants can also trade Thibodeaux to a contender that needs help on the edge, such as the Packers or the Lions, and probably get a Day 2 pick in return. More draft capital would be a huge help for 2026 when they’ll be trying to find as many strong offensive players as possible to build around quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers.
I have said again and again this offseason that the Giants should not be in a rush to get rid of the 24-year-old Thibodeaux. Yet, the idea keeps coming up.
Reality is, eventually it is something the Giants may have to consider. In my view, they shouldn’t consider it until at least the 2025 NFL trade deadline. The Giants are going to be as creative as they can to get Thibodeaux, Brian Burns and No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter on the field together for as many snaps as possible.
That means Carter will play some edge, he will play some off-ball linebacker, he will probably line up as s Wide 9 defensive end and as an interior defensive tackle in pass-rush situations.
If Carter is what the Giants think he is, though, they are eventually going to want him to be a full-time edge defender. They won’t want him playing positions that might not be his best just to get him on the field. Which means something will have to give. Burns, three years older than Thibodeaux and in the second year of five-year, $141 million contract, would seem unlikely to be a trade candidate.
That would leave Thibodeaux. And, yes, there are teams around the league he could help and that would love to have him.
So, yes, the talk about the Giants moving Thibodeaux is understandable. And, yes, Schatz is right that the Giants — who have only six picks in the 2026 draft...
