New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could be an ideal fit for the rebuilding New England Patriots defense.
At one point, the New York Giants had high hopes for former first-round draft choice Kayvon Thibodeaux. And, very well still might.
However, after signing two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns last offseason, and selecting Abdul Carter No. 3 overall out of Penn State, and likely planting him opposite Burns in Shane Bowen’s front-seven, Thibodeaux’s Garden State future is murkier than ever.
In theory, Burns, Carter, and Thibodeaux create what has the potential to be one of the more formidable pass rush rotations in the NFL, but, with a roster that has holes to fill on both sides of the ball and an organization looking to continue its rebuild, perhaps the former Oregon standout with 21 career sacks is more valuable as a trade chip.
Over at Bleacher Report, NFL analyst Kristopher Knox suggests that Thibodeaux could go from being a luxury piece for one rebuilding team to a defensive centerpiece for another, linking the New England Patriots as an ideal destination for the 24-year-old Thibodeaux.
“The Patriots,” Knox writes for B/R. “Who recorded just 28 sacks in 2024, should have interest in adding Thibodeaux if he’s available. New England did add Harold Landry III and Milton Williams in free agency but could still use another sack artist on its defensive front.”
Last season, Thibodeaux recorded 38 quarterback pressures in addition to his 5.5 sacks in 12 games, after suffering a hand injury in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks that required surgery.
Moving on from Thibodeaux, and gaining an asset to continue building the rest of the roster would perhaps be the kind of move that helps the Giants improve in other areas of need while freeing Burns and Carter to play the vast majority of pass-rush snaps as a potentially elite duo.
Why Kayvon Thibodeaux Would Make Sense for Patriots
Sarah Stier | GettyKayvon Thibodeaux may be the New York Giants’ most valuable trade chip.
The Patriots were aggressive in free agency, signing former Eagles defensive end Milton Williams, but if New England is intent on climbing the AFC hierarchy, will need to bolster the pass rush to challenge the likes of Josh Allen‘s Buffalo Bills within the division, not to mention Lamar Jackson‘s Baltimore Ravens, Joe Burrow‘s Cincinnati Bengals, and of course, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs eying a fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Trading Thibodeaux also makes some sense for the Giants from a financial situation, as well.
“If Thibodeaux is going to reach double-digit sacks for the second time in his career, he may have to find a new team. The Giants traded for Brian Burns last offseason and just used the third overall pick on pass-rusher Abdul Carter,” Knox writes for B/R. “New York did pick up the fifth-year option on the 24-year-old’s contract, but it could erase his entire $14.8 million 2026 cap hit by trading him. That could become an attractive option if it becomes obvious that he will be third at best in the pass-rushing rotation.”
Thibodeaux, who has 21 career sacks, is already secured through the 2026 season after the Giants exercised his fifth-year option, which would give head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots an extra year of control before needing to decide whether to sign him to a long-term contract extension.
If New England believes it can make the leap towards contending in the AFC, bolstering the pass rush and offering Thibodeaux a change of scenery is the kind of move that could offer significant upside.
Are Giants Poised to be Major Sellers?
Stacy Revere | GettyThe pressure is mounting on general manager Joe Schoen and the New York Giants.
Depending on how the Giants open the 2025 season, Thibodeaux might not be the only player on the move, this season.
Head coach Brian Daboll is under a mandate from ownership to show progress from last season’s disastrous 3-14 campaign, and this could be a make-or-break season for Daboll as well as general manager Joe Schoen.
Compound the fact that the Giants are slated to face off against the NFL’s most difficult strength of schedule and there is a chance that the pressure could mount on both Daboll and Schoen before Halloween, and more importantly, the trade deadline.
Over at Bleacher Report, Alex Kay suggests that the Giants could be ‘aggressive sellers’ at the deadline.
“If Wilson can’t get the job done,” Kay writes for B/R. “The Giants could turn to Winston for a spark. It may not be long before his turnover-prone ways submarine the team’s slim hopes, though, as the 2015 No. 1 overall pick has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns (15) while posting a 3-7 record as a starter over the last three years.
“Thrusting Dart into the fire could be Daboll’s last-ditch hope of retaining his position, but the Ole Miss product is going to have his work cut out adjusting to the speed of the NFL behind an offensive line PFSN ranked No. 28 in the league going into the 2025 season. If Dart is starting and the Giants are well out of contention by October, expect this regime to start selling ownership on their future potential while dumping veterans and bringing more assets aboard.”
It’s impossible to discern how Giants owner John Mara would view playing Dart, beyond the spectrum of the No. 25 overall pick’s level of play should he hit the field, as a rookie.
However, there’s an argument to be made that playing Dart at some point could extend the shelf life of the Schoen-Daboll regime, because it would give the young quarterback meaningful reps as a rookie and shine a light on the holes that need filled to help elevate him and the rest of the roster in 2026.
Shipping off coveted players to acquire draft capital to build around Dart might just be the key to the Giants fast-tracking their rebuild.
