As we head into the NFL’s long early summer break, the New York Giants have most of their offseason business buttoned up. They appear to be ready for training camp, which opens in four weeks in West Virginia, and have few issues to deal with.
First, they have no contract disputes to speak of. Second, they are confident that almost all of their injured players will be ready before the start of the regular season.
There is one situation that is outstanding, however. That is the future of former first-round pick Kayvin Thibodeaux. The linebacker is entering into the fifth and final season of his rookie contract, and the Giants can go in several directions with him this season.
From Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media:
Thibodeaux is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He is scheduled to play it under his fifth-year option, which is worth $14.751 million.
And as of right now, the Giants and Thibodeaux’s camp have not discussed a contract extension, according to ESPN. Which means the likeliest scenario is that he plays 2026 under the fifth-year option.
The Giants this offseason did not trade Thibodeaux, if only because they didn’t get what they consider to be a good enough offer. They still could deal him before the midseason trade deadline. That would ensure they’d get something for him before he walks in free agency next offseason.
Yes, he could sign a long-term deal with the Giants heading into 2027, instead of departing in free agent. Anyway, so much of all this depends on how Thibodeaux performs in 2026 — and if he can stay healthy.
Currently, Thibodeaux is not listed as a starter. He is listed as a backup at right outside linebacker behind last year’s top pick, Abdul Carter. How the Giants plan on getting him some snaps this season remains to be seen.
Thibodeaux has done all the right things since the new coaching staff walked in the door in January. He didn’t have to win over his position coach, Charlie Bullen, though. Bullen is one of the few holdovers from last year’s team and was the Giants’ defensive coordinator for the latter part of the season.
“I will say, though, since the day I’ve got here, the way he’s worked has always been really strong,” Bullen said of Thibodeaux earlier this month at the Giants’ minicamp. “His play speed and effort has been by far the best of the group this offseason. I mean, that’s just how he plays.”
Bullen wasn’t always impressed with the former Oregon star, whom the Giants took fifth overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He has had some injury woes and has struggled at times making the transition to the NFL.
“You know, looking at his film when I got here, you know, I didn’t, I wouldn’t have said that. I wouldn’t have thought that about him as a player, just he was a young player, and there was some consistency areas that he could improve in,” continued Bullen.
“So when I got to meet him and started working with him, I was just blown away at how hard and how intentional he does work… That’s been the same for two going on three years that I’ve been here with him and it’s a joy to be around because he brings it every day.”
Thibodeaux has said the Giants have an embarrassment of riches at linebacker these days with players such as himself, Brian Burns, Carter, free agent Tremaine Edmunds, and this year’s top pick, Arvell Reese.
The Giants are hoping he’s right, but it could mean the end of his time with Big Blue if he is.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants can go in several directions with Kayvon Thibodeaux
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By John Fennelly, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
