Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux excited about upcoming season, but needs to have an outstanding one
Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux during minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on Monday. Credit: Noah K. Murray
It would be understandable if Kayvon Thibodeaux kept a low profile this offseason. When your name has been constantly mentioned in trade rumors, it’s easy to just let things play out by staying out of sight.
Yet there Thibodeaux was at Brian Burns’ charity softball game on May 30. The Giants linebacker was also front and center with several veterans speaking at the team’s town hall meeting a few weeks earlier.
Thibodeaux added he never thought about holding out like former teammate Dexter Lawrence did. He came off more committed to the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2022 with no worries about being moved.
“I’d rather play and I’d rather bet on myself and go see what's to come from it than just sit out and let somebody else make the decision for me,” Thibodeaux said May 30.
Consider what he said so far. At the town hall, he compared this defense to Wink Martindale’s system in 2023 that saw him get a career-high 11 1/2 sacks.
Even when the Giants drafted Arvell Reese, another player with pass-rushing ability, Thibodeaux took the high road. He gushed about the defense’s potential rather than appearing threatened there could be less reps for him
“I’m just excited, man,” Thibodeaux said. “I can’t really talk about potential because we all know what potential is…I will say we’re working, grinding, we’re jelling together, we’re getting closer. Everybody’s working their tail off as much as you can just to continue to improve and continue to buy in.”
Truth is, Thibodeaux didn’t have the leverage that Lawrence had when he demanded a trade. Lawrence proved himself as an All-Pro caliber player. Thibodeaux’s tenure is much shakier entering the fifth and final year of his contract
His 2023 season was great but he’s had just 12 combined sacks in his other three seasons. Injuries limited him to a career-low 10 games and 2 1/2 sacks last season. It reminds why his future with the team remains in doubt.
His name was thrown around at last season’s trade deadline. More rumors heated up in April around the draft but general manager Joe Schoen threw cold water on them by saying the Giants hadn’t spoken to any team about Thibodeaux.
During OTAs, Burns and Abdul Carter got most of the first team reps at outside linebacker on the three days media watched practice. That continued Monday during mandatory minicamp until Carter left practice with what coach John Harbaugh called a twisted ankle that wasn’t serious.
Yet Harbaugh also voiced support for Thibodeaux by calling him a premier player in the NFL. He singled him out last month for how he spoke during a team meeting after Jaxson Dart introducing President Donald Trump at a rally.
On Monday, Harbaugh was impressed with how Thibodeaux’s dealt with the trade speculation.
“Everybody's got to admit he's handled this thing really the right way,” Harbaugh said. “He knows he needs to go out and have a great season, and it starts with what Harry Carson was talking about. You do it for the team. You do it to win as many games as you can and you let everything else fall in place the way it's supposed to and that's what he's planning on doing.”
Burns also praised his fellow linebacker’s work ethic and approach this offseason.
“He’s doing everything right,” Burns said. “He’s leaving no stone unturned and that’s something I really commend him on. Because he is put in a tough situation at times and he’s handled it like a pro. I definitely wish and expect the best out of him this year.”
So do Giants fans. Thibodeaux hasn’t lived up to his lofty expectations but the team can’t afford to give away pass rushers. He also deserves credit for showing up and being a team-first player with his comments. It needs to pay off with production. But his mature handling of things is a good sign that he’s taking the right steps forward to finally prove his value.
“I love the Giants, I’m happy to be here,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m not really too worried about the logistics behind it because ball’s going to take care of itself as I long as I keep playing ball and I keep loving it. Everything else is going to work out.”
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
