The status of former New York Giants first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux and his place in the organization’s plans have been a topic of discussion for quite some time. Trade talks gained significant traction last offseason after the Giants selected edge rusher Abdul Carter third overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
The possibility of trading Thibodeaux, the fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, picked up steam ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. Despite interest from multiple teams, the Giants did not come close to moving the former first-round pick.
However, as teams continue to make trades, Thibodeaux remains a player who could draw interest from clubs seeking edge-rush help. FOX Sports recently identified him as one of the potential trade candidates still available this offseason.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is only 25 and playing this year on his fifth-year option, making $14.8 million. But the New York Giants are loaded at edge rusher, with Brian Burns and second-year star Abdul Carter already getting the majority of the snaps last season. Throw in rookie Arvell Reese into the mix as well, as he’ll likely have some pass-rush usage, even if he’s primarily a linebacker. Thibodeaux has missed 12 games over the last two seasons, totaling only eight sacks (including 2.5 last year), but a team needing help at edge would be hoping to get the player who had 11.5 sacks in 2023. His salary is a lot for a rotational edge rusher, so unless they really want expensive protection against injury, a trade makes a lot of sense for the Giants.
POTENTIAL LANDING SPOT: New England Patriots, where former Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is now a defensive analyst.
Immediately after selecting Arvell Reese fifth overall in the 2026 NFL draft, it was reported that the Giants did not intend to trade Thibodeaux. Although teams checked in on him, the Giants were reportedly seeking a second-round pick in return.
Despite the team’s claim that it plans to use Reese as an off-ball linebacker, it is not difficult to speculate that the selection was made with the possibility of moving on from Thibodeaux in mind.
Thibodeaux enters a crucial contract year in 2026. While he has shown flashes of talent, he has not fully lived up to expectations. He did, however, rank among the Giants’ better run stoppers at times last season on a defense that must improve against the run.
The fit with the New England Patriots is intriguing, especially with the ties to former Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Given Thibodeaux’s dead-cap hit of more than $14 million, trading him before the season may not be in the Giants’ best interest unless they receive a strong return. The Giants may be better off waiting until the trade deadline to decide whether to move him at all. With the roster constructed as it is, it’s hard to imagine the Giants keeping Thibodeaux beyond the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux named a top remaining trade candidate
Reporting by Tyler Henry, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tyler Henry, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
