Giants Edge Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux Embracing Abdul Carter Opportunity

No player poses a bigger threat to New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux’s job than blue-chip prospect Abdul Carter. As the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter will be expected to pair with star Brian Burns as a pillar of the Giants’ pass rush.

In the meantime, he’ll play a role in New York’s surplus on the edge, hoping to join forces with Burns, Thibodeaux, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to create one of the league’s most feared units. Thibodeaux doesn’t know what his long-term future will hold, but it’s clear he has a chance to play a key role in something special up front.

Speaking to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Thibodeaux embraced the idea of playing alongside Carter.

"I think [Carter's] a great player. We can use him in a lot of different ways," said Thibodeaux, "I'm excited to see him come in and grind and [see] what we're going to get."

It isn’t immediately clear how playing time will manifest itself between the three. Who gets precedence between Thibodeaux and Carter could depend on the latter’s summer, and there will certainly be packages where all three are on the field and one slides inside next to Lawrence.

Thibodeaux also doesn’t have to worry about his contract being directly impacted by the rookie’s arrival. Perhaps it was a show of good faith, or simply a shrewd financial move, but New York picked up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, good for nearly $15 million in 2026. Had general manager Joe Schoen declined Thibodeaux’s option, 2025 – and the uncertain role that comes with it – would have been a contract year.

"It's another step. For me, it's just more fuel," Thibodeaux said. "Definitely blessed and humbled to be in a position to have another year in the league. Coming up on that [career] average, I think it's 3.5 [years]. You play that fourth season and I think you're in good company. I'm super blessed, super excited, energized. We have a great team and we'll go do some good things."

Thibodeaux posted a (fairly fortunate) 11.5 sacks in 2023 and another 5.5 in an injury-shortened 2024. His peripherals were better last season with a co-star in town.

Now, he’s set up to have even more success, providing the opportunity to make good on his first-round draft capital and wreak havoc on the NFC’s quarterbacks in the process.

"I think that is the outside linebacker position," Thibodeaux said. "We're those tweeners. If you look at my skill set, Brian's skill set -- Brian can rush inside. I can, but Brian is probably better rushing inside than I am. But Brian can rush inside. I can rush inside. He can rush from depth. I can rush from depth being at that linebacker position. So can Abdul.

"We'll see how they mix it up. But we'll all be on the field at some point."