Harbaugh Says Kayvon Thibodeaux Is 'Exciting' but Giants Could Still Trade Edge

Kayvon Thibodeaux is still a New York Giant for now, but the possibility of a trade looms as the Giants sort out their defensive plans and salary cap realities. The No. 5 overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off a season in which he recorded 4.5 sacks and 55 tackles. With the Giants already committing $22 million to Brian Burns in free agency and drafting Abdul Carter in the first round of the 2024 draft, Thibodeaux appears to be out of the long-term plans.

John Harbaugh addressed the trade chatter head-on during the first day of voluntary workouts. "I think he's a great player. I'm excited about him," Harbaugh said. "I was fired up to see him today. He looks great, he's in great shape. I'm thinking about him on the field, getting him plugged into our defense and getting him rolling."

The Giants coach made it clear he's focused on the field, not the front office. "It's not really what you focus on," he said. "You focus on the fact that we're having a day, we're talking ball, we're getting our team coming together as a team. The business part of it is the business part. That kind of swirls around us. We try to lock in on the football."

Harbaugh also quipped to reporter Dan Duggan, “Everybody's tradeable, everybody. Even you're tradeable, Dan. If we can get something for you, we'd trade you in a heartbeat.” The remark underlined the reality that no player is untouchable.

Keeping Thibodeaux into the season would provide a boost to New York’s pass rush, but the financial burden is a concern. Trading him would clear $14.751 million in guaranteed money off the cap, which could help the Giants retain Dexter Lawrence, whose trade request is still pending. The window for a trade is shrinking, and the longer the Giants hold onto Thibodeaux, the less they’re likely to receive in return.

The Giants have several options. They could trade him before the 2026 NFL Draft, after it, or wait until the fall trade deadline. They could also keep him through the season and let him hit free agency in 2027, though that would mean losing him with no compensation.

For now, Thibodeaux remains a Giant. The next move, if any, will come in the coming weeks as the front office weighs its choices.