The New York Giants will keep their pass-rushing trio together past the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday that a few teams have reached out to the Giants regarding Kayvon Thibodeaux, and they've been told there's no interest in trading the former first-round pick, per sources informed of the situation.
Thibodeaux is under contract through 2026 on his fifth-year option worth $14.751 million.
The impetus behind the trade calls is that the 2022 No. 5 overall pick might not have a long-term future in New York. The Giants paid Brian Burns in 2024 and drafted Abdul Carter No. 3 overall in 2025. Keeping the trio together long-term would be expensive.
Thibodeaux has generated 2.5 sacks and 25 QB pressures this season, per Next Gen Stats.
In theory, right now, Thibodeaux's trade value would be at its highest, with any team being able to count on him in 2026 for a relatively low cost. If they look to trade him next year, he would likely be a rental. With the Giants needing to build around Jaxson Dart, more draft picks wouldn't hurt -- they currently have seven selections in the 2026 draft with no third-rounder.
Alas, NFL teams simply don't operate that way. With general manager Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll fighting for their jobs, they won't break up the strength of an already questionable defense. The calculus in keeping a player like Thibodeaux is also that turnarounds happen quickly in the NFL -- the 6-2 New England Patriots being the latest example in 2025.
If clubs did shell out players not in their future plans like other sports, it would make the NFL trade deadline far more entertaining. Trades might have increased in recent years, but we get few blockbusters, with teams electing to hold onto their would-be trade assets like Thibodeaux and hope their fortunes eventually change.
