The future of edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the New York Giants gained clarity Thursday night. General manager Joe Schoen announced the team will pick up the fifth-year option on Thibodeaux's rookie contract.
The announcement came after the team used the third overall selection in the selection of Abdul Carter, another edge rusher, prompting questions about the defensive line's composition.
Schoen addressed the media, stating, "Kayvon is going to be here. We're excited to have him. You can't have enough pass rushers."
The deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options for first-round players from the 2022 draft is May 1. Exercising this option adds a fifth season to the player's initial four-year rookie contract for a predetermined salary, as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in 2022 out of the Oregon Ducks program, has played in and started all 43 games since joining the team. His career totals include 21 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, and 46 quarterback hits.
His 11.5 sacks in the 2023 season represented a significant increase and tied for the 17th-most by a Giants player in a single year. He is the first Giants defender to record at least 21 sacks in his first three seasons since Jason Pierre-Paul achieved the feat from 2010-12.
Despite Schoen's definitive statement, the selection of Carter fueled immediate speculation about Thibodeaux's future beyond the option year or even sooner. An NFL executive told The Athletic that the Giants could potentially trade Thibodeaux for a third-round pick if they drafted Carter.
Trade speculation, such as that discussed by Bleacher Report, centered on teams needing pass-rush help who might miss out on top draft prospects. Potential suitors could include the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, or Green Bay Packers, with fair compensation discussed as a Day 2 draft pick (second or third round).
However, as GM Joe Schoen stated, "Kayvon is going to be here."
