Giants Insider Doesn't See a Future for Kayvon Thibodeaux in New York

It's been an up-and-down last two seasons for New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The former No. 5 overall pick had a quiet rookie season with just four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, but he had a breakout Year 2 in which he logged 11.5 sacks, 43 pressures, 26 hurries, four QB hits, and three forced fumbles, according to Pro Football Focus.

But the Giants have taken edge-rushers in the top five of the last two drafts - Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese - seemingly leaving Thibodeaux as the odd man out with Brian Burns locking down New York's other edge-rusher spot.

With the pass-rush logjam in New York right now, Giants insider Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, part of the USA Today network, believes it's unlikely Thibodeaux get an extension with the Giants after the seasons.

"I’ll say this about Kayvon Thibodeaux: he certainly appeared like he is embracing the moment for what it is last night at Giants Town Hall," Stapleton wrote on X. "Does he want a new contract? Absolutely. In keeping it real, few think he gets that with Giants based on current roster construction.

"But Thibodeaux still speaks about this Giants team and this season as a player who is fully invested here. Would think fans who pay attention have appreciation for that."

Despite what the Giants have told people outwardly, multiple reports indicate that the team has been shopping Thibodeaux for the last two offseasons.

With Carter's emergence last year (a team-high 66 pressures, 43 hurries, 18 QB hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries) and Reese joining the mix, Thibodeaux is expendable.

And rather than pay him a big-money new contract, the Giants could capitalize on the long list of pass-rush-needy teams and recoup some draft capital for Thibodeaux instead of losing him for nothing next offseason.

Teams like the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers are among the teams that make the most sense in a potential trade.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 10:29 AM.