The New York Giants have a very clear X-factor that is flying under the radar.
The New York Giants have some pieces in place to actually field a very good defense next season.
The pass-rushing tandem of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter could be one of the NFL's best in 2026, and you have to assume that Dexter Lawrence will rebound.
But there is one player on the Giants' defense everyone seems to be forgetting: defensive end Chauncey Golston.
New York signed Golston to a three-year, $19.5 million contract last offseason, hoping he would become a significant part of their rotation in the trenches.
Then, the Giants went and drafted Carter, completely obscuring Golston's role behind Burns, Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
But now that New York could potentially trade Thibodeaux this spring, the door may be open for Golston to step in and make an impact.
Golston's presence is one of the reasons why moving Thibodeaux seems like such a no-brainer to begin with. The former Dallas Cowboys defender is a very capable No. 3 pass rusher, so it actually makes Thibodeaux a bit unnecessary.
New York Giants defensive end Chauncey Golston sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.With the Giants not having a third-round draft pick this April, trading Thibodeaux seems like the natural course of action. Surely, there is a team out there willing to give up a Day 2 pick for Thibodeaux, which would create more flexibility for Big Blue.
And with Thibodeaux injured down the stretch in 2025, Golston finally got an opportunity and actually played very well, especially in Week 16 when he logged six tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack.
Back in 2024, Golston registered 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, an interception and five passes defended for the Cowboys, so he has shown in the past that he absolutely can play and be productive.
Some Giants fans seem to be worried about trading Thibodeaux because New York would be losing depth on the edge, but that is what Golston is for.
I actually expect Golston to have a big year for the Giants next season so long as he receives the opportunity to actually get on the field.
Trading Thibodeaux for draft capital makes even more sense knowing that Golston will be prepared to step up and fill in.
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