New York Giants' Failed Trade Talks Have a Clear Silver Lining

New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has been floated in endless trade speculation since last year.

Once the Giants selected Abdul Carter with the third overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the writing was on the wall for Thibodeaux, who has been very disappointing over his last couple of seasons.

Then, New York nabbed Arvell Reese with the No. 5 overall pick this past April, further complicating Thibodeaux's future with the team.

The Giants fielded trade offers for Thibodeaux during the draft, but they weren't happy with the offers. The New Orleans Saints reportedly pitched a fourth-round pick to New York, but the Giants turned them down.

Now, Thibodeaux is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and everyone knows his days in the Big Apple are numbered.

But when will Thibodeaux actually depart Big Blue?

In theory, New York could move the 25-year-old before the start of the season, but barring another club getting desperate due to a major injury, it seems unlikely that the Giants would be able to extract substantial value in any Thibodeaux trade.

A more likely scenario is the trade deadline, particularly if New York is out of the playoff race. Thibodeaux is the third-string edge rusher behind Brian Burns and Carter, and you have to figure that Reese will get some pass-rushing opportunities, as well.

So, if the Giants are out of the postseason picture come November, they may very well shop Thibodeaux, and at that point, contending teams might be craving pass rushers enough to part with a Day 2 pick in exchange for the University of Oregon product.

There is also the chance that Thibodeaux makes it through the season in New York and then signs with another team in free agency next March. That would open up the Giants to a compensatory draft picks, and they could potentially net a selection worth quite a bit more than fourth-rounder.

Some Big Blue fans wish New York would have just accepted the Saints' proposal a few months ago, but it definitely makes sense to wait.

Worst-case scenario, Thibodeaux has a rough year, walk via free agency next March and the Giants are left holding the bag. But that's still not a huge deal.

It's not like New York passed up on the chance to nab a second-round pick. That would have been regrettable.

Instead, by turning down the trade offers during the draft, the Giants may have created a much more lucrative opportunity to land a bigger return for their former top-five selection.