Kayvon Thibodeaux
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John Harbaugh issued a cryptic message on the Kayvon Thibodeaux's trade status
The New York Giants have been on a roll this offseason, but they find themselves dealing with some drama as their offseason program gets underway. Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence requested a trade on Monday due to his contract situation, which has put the front office in a tough spot as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
Trade rumors have quickly begun to swirl around Lawrence, but he isn’t the only player whose name has popped up in these conversations. Fellow defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate this offseason, and head coach John Harbaugh didn’t exactly shoot down the notion that the team isn’t looking to move on from him when asked about the former first-round pick’s situation.
John Harbaugh Issues Cryptic Message on Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Rumors
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“Everybody is tradeable. Everybody.”
John Harbaugh answers a question on Kayvon Thibodeaux – whom he calls “a great player” – and his future with the Giants:
New York selected Thibodeaux with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he has struggled to meet expectations early in his career. He appeared to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2023 when he racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks, but in 10 games last season, Thibodeaux finished with just 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Thibodeaux is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter finding their way to town in recent years, that has made Thibodeaux expendable. The Giants are already paying Burns a large sum of money, and Carter will likely earn a big contract at some point in the future.
With that in mind, Thibodeaux has popped up as a logical trade candidate for New York, especially with the team looking for more picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. When discussing Thibodeaux’s standing with the team, Harbaugh sounded excited to work with him, but he also admitted that every player on his roster is tradeable if the price is right.
“I think he’s a great player, I’m excited about him,” Harbaugh said of Thibodeaux. “I was fired up to see him today, he looks great, he’s in great shape … You want to talk about, ‘Well, is he a trade possibility?’ Everybody is tradeable. Everybody … But it’s not really what you focus on.”
Should the Giants Trade Kayvon Thibodeaux?
Kayvon Thibodeaux
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Thibodeaux is still only 25 years old, so it’s not like he doesn’t have potential the Giants could tap into. A new coaching regime could be just what he needs to get his career on track, as Harbaugh has a history of getting the best out of his players during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. However, it’s tough to ignore the fact that Thibodeaux simply may not be needed on this team anymore.
New York is trying to finish off its rebuild, and in order to do that, it needs to balance out its roster. With Burns and Carter in place, the Giants can afford to send Thibodeaux elsewhere and get some draft capital in return for him. Moving on from the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft would have to be labeled a loss for the front office, but trading him now is better than the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency next offseason.