Sometimes you have to go back to your roots to regain the form that propelled you to stardom.
That’s what New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux did recently, returning to the University of Oregon to both teach and train with some of the current Ducks.
Thibodeaux took some time to give pointers to Ducks sophomore defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei in drills held at Autzen Stadium.
Thibodeaux is at a crossroads in his professional career, coming off a wrist injury that limited him to 12 games in 2024. He had just 5.5 sacks and 14 solo tackles on the season. He is more determined than ever to show the world that he is one of the best at his position.
“I’ve always been hungry. I grew up poor, and this is an opportunity to make more money than you’ll ever make in your life,” he said during OTAs. “So, there’s no added pressure, there’s no added motivation. I think the motivation is not only to get here, but to stay here, and then once you’re here, you’re in a land full of lions, you got to come out on top. So, for me, I just want to be the best now. That’s kind of what my motivation is, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
This summer, although the Giants picked up his fifth-year option for 2026, the former fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft is facing a challenge from this year’s top pick, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Thibodeaux knows he can only control what he can control, and that is to be the best version of himself. He had 11..5 sacks in 2023 and has his sights on Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record of 22.5.
“I think I’m a consistent double-digit sack guy, and I got to do that,” Thibodeaux said. “It has been a lot of ups and downs in my career and as a team, but I think this is a team that can win, and I can help that.”
The Giants hope so, too.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux training with Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
