The 2025 NFL season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but there is already a notion that the New York Giants could be sellers at the trade deadline, come November 5.
Especially if head coach Brian Daboll and the Giants struggle against the NFL’s most difficult schedule, general manager Joe Schoen may look to offload assets to acquire draft capital to continue building out the roster or at least accumulate enough picks to justify saving his job in order to make them next April.
Former first-round draft choice Kayvon Thibodeaux could quickly become a favorite target for general managers of contending teams aiming to bolster their pass rush, and, Thibodeaux might become expendable if No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter hits the ground running as a rookie.
Could the Detroit Lions be Ideal Fit for Kayvon Thibodeaux?
Luke Hales | GettyPlayoff contenders could eye Kayvon Thibodeaux as a missing piece when the stretch run arrives.
Over at Bleacher Report, analyst Brad Gagnon put together a list of trade proposals to stash away until the NFL trade deadline, including the Giants shipping Thibodeaux to the Detroit Lions.
“Trading Thibodeaux to address a larger need would be logical,” Gagnon writes for B/R. “Especially if the team is still alive as the deadline approaches.I get the feeling that will actually be the case, as Russell Wilson could have a redemption season in him thanks in part to the emergence of Malik Nabers.
“If that’s how things go down, we are again looking at Washington, Green Bay and Detroit. In this case, Thibodeaux is the consolation prize because he’s not close to as established as Hendrickson. The Lions have more money to spend than the Commanders and may feel the need to at least outbid them here to keep up with the Joneses in the NFC North.”
One reason the Lions, and other teams might be interested in acquiring Thibodeaux is the fact that the Giants previously exercised his fifth-year option, adding an extra year of control for the team that would be acquiring him, at $14.1 million in 2026.
Trading Thibodeaux, whose rookie deal surpasses upwards of $33 million, to clear a logjam that also includes edge rushers Brian Burns and Carter could make some sense for the Giants, especially if this team his hovering around .500 and could use offensive line depth or help in the secondary.
Likewise, the Lions enter this season desperately hoping that a productive running mate emerges opposite All-Pro and ascending talent Aidan Hutchinson. If the Lions’ pass rush looks to be a weak link down the stretch, Thibodeaux could be a compelling option and ideal fit to fill one of Detroit’s few remaining needs.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Eyeing Improvement
Dustin Satloff | Getty New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could see a robust trade market, if he’s available.
Even though the Giants have committed to Thibodeaux through 2026, the 24-year-old isn’t taking anything for granted nor giving his future much mind.
“I don’t really think about too far ahead,” Thibodeux told reporters. “I think for me, I can only control the now and the now, I got to get better past rushing. I got to get better at stopping and run, and that’s what I’m focused on. I think the more I can do for the team, the better off I’ll be. So just hone in on that.”
With the 2025 season approaching, Thibodeaux and Burns are joined by Carter, who is fresh off a strong showing during Giants OTAs and minicamp this spring and looking to make an immediate impact.
Thibodeaux, entering his fourth NFL season with 21 career sacks already on his ledger, is already taking time helping get Carter up to speed on what it takes to excel at this level.
“I think when new guys come in,” Thibodeaux explained. “They always have certain talents and things that they can help us with, and we know certain things that we can help him with, so it’s been a constant growth mindset between all of us.”
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