The New York Giants have received a major trade update before NFL free agency begins.
The New York Giants would surely like to make a major splash in free agency, but they still have to clear some more cap room first.
The Giants have already released linebacker Bobby Okereke and tackle James Hudson, and they restructured the contract of running back Devin Singletary (still strange that he wasn't outright cut).
But another avenue for New York to open up some cap space is by trading edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, whose departure would free up $15 million.
Thibodeaux has been floated as a trade candidate ever since the Giants selected Abdul Carter with the third overall pick of the NFL Draft last April, and with the 25-year-old entering the final year of his contract, rumors are hotter now than ever.
Plus, with New York not having a third-round draft choice this year, moving Thibodeaux — who you would think would fetch a Day 2 pick — seems like the most ideal scenario.
However, we shouldn't 100 percent count on it. In fact, Dan Duggan of The Athletic seems to believe it isn't happening.
New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images."I don't see a Kavyon Thibodeaux trade at the moment. They're not looking to give him away, and I don't think teams are meeting their believed asking price of a Day 2 pick," Duggan posted on X. "Still think a player-for-player trade is the more likely avenue, but could see them just rolling with him for now."
Considering the New York Jets were able to trade fellow edge rusher Jermaine Johnson — who isn't even as good as Thibodeaux — for Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat (what a move by the Jets), you would think that the Giants would be able to reap similar value in return for Thibodeaux.
Unfortunately, things don't always work like that in the NFL. Just because the Titans were okay with potentially overpaying for Johnson dose not necessarily mean other teams will be willing to do the same for Thibodeaux.
I still think that Big Blue will ultimately move the former first-round pick at some point this offseason, but it might not occur right away, which means clearing Thibodeaux's money might end up having no effect on the Giants' free agency strategy.
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