After their seventh losing season in the last eight years, the New York Giants hope to rebound in 2025. Abdul Carter, the 2025 NFL Draft third overall pick, looks to play a significant role in helping the turnaround.
A disastrous 3-14 2024 season allowed Giants general manager Joe Schoen and New York brass to land the talented Penn State product. With excitement building around the 21-year-old edge rusher, could another talented quarterback bloodhound see his time in Giants blue end?
Could the Giants Trade Kayvon Thibodeaux to Make Room for Abdul Carter?
With three NFL seasons under his belt, is it time for the Giants’ fifth overall pick in 2022 to change scenery? Kayvon Thibodeaux is 24 years old and finds himself in a loaded New York edge rushing room. It’s a room that got stronger when Carter walked through the door.
With a handful of players each deserving snaps, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder sees one man leaving the equation. In this scenario, Holder believes it is in the Giants’ best interest to flip Thibodeaux for several draft picks.
“It feels like this has been on the table since the Giants were getting heavily linked to Abdul Carter ahead of April’s draft,” Holder said. “It makes sense, seeing as the organization will likely commit to Carter and Brian Burns on the edge for the long haul, and the front office signed Chauncey Golston in free agency to further supplement the position.
“Meanwhile, Thibodeaux has two years left on his contract and has been productive throughout his career, meaning New York could get a good haul for the 2022 first-round pick,” Holder said. “That should be enticing for a team that enters the season with questions at quarterback.”
How Has Thibodeaux Performed in His Three NFL Seasons?
Thibodeaux has played well in his first three seasons, but Carter is a generational talent who demands attention. On the other side, Burns is coming off a career year in his first season with New York.
While Thibodeaux has not played poorly, is his performance enough to keep him in New York?
2023 Highlights Opening Three Seasons of Oregon Alumni’s NFL Career
In his rookie season, Thibodeaux played in just 14 regular-season games, collecting 49 total tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. While his statistics did not jump off the page, the 6’5″ edge showed strong signs of things to come.
In 2023, a struggling Giants team was led defensively by Thibodeaux. His 11.5 sacks put him as 13th overall amongst NFL sack leaders. Along with the impressive sack amount, the former Oregon Duck collected 50 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
The following season, Schoen paired the young talent with the longtime Carolina Panther standout Burns. Working across from one another, Burns excelled, plotting career highs in total tackles and passes defended.
For Thibodeaux, a wrist injury sidelined him for a large part of the 2024 season. Competing in 12 games, he registered 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
While the opportunity to deal Thibodeaux is there, one Giants analyst sees the potential trio as something special entering 2025.
Only one team in NFL history has had four defenders put up double-digit sacks in a single season (2022 Eagles).
I believe the Giants could be the next team to accomplish this feat.
Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Abdul Carter, & Kayvon Thibodeaux all have 10+ sack potential. pic.twitter.com/CRtIysH0gO
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) July 18, 2025
With a star-studded defensive line, will the Giants continue to rebuild and move Thibodeaux for picks, or will the powerful trio get an opportunity to work together?
