Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux offers advice for Abdul Carter

New York Giants rookie pass-rusher Abdul Carter hasn't yet played a meaningful snap as a pro but has already received quite a bit of criticism for wanting to bring either Lawrence Taylor's No. 56 or Phil Simms' No. 11 out of retirement. 

While speaking with Brandon London of the New York Post at an event on Tuesday evening, Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux offered some advice for the third overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft about how to handle such outside noise as a first-year pro. 

"I would say keep going, man. Let it be fuel to your fire," Thibodeaux said. "Don’t get distracted by it. I think this is just the start. There’s a lot of ups and downs in this league." 

Taylor eventually encouraged Carter to "get another number" and "then make it famous," while Simms later told longtime New York sports writer Gary Myers that "he was outvoted by his family" regarding the rookie wearing No. 11. As for Thibodeaux, he likely has more important things than jersey digits on his mind this spring after the Giants exercised the fifth-year option for 2026 attached to his rookie contract.

Giants insider Dan Duggan of The Athletic noted that Thibodeaux will likely become "the odd man out" in a pass rush that will also feature Carter and Brian Burns. Big Blue acquired Burns from the Carolina Panthers in March 2024 and then signed him to a five-year, $141M contract. Meanwhile, Carter will be on an inexpensive rookie deal for the foreseeable future. 

Thibodeaux has largely failed to live up to the expectations that have hovered over him since the Giants made him the fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft. Nevertheless, he seems confident that he, Burns and Carter can thrive while on the field together this coming fall. 

"I think that is the outside linebacker position," Thibodeaux explained, as shared by Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "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."

Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen could both be shown the door in January if the Giants endure a third-straight losing season, so it's likely Thibodeaux will remain on the New York roster through at least Week 18 of the 2025 campaign. That said, either Thibodeaux or Burns could be viewed as surplus to requirements with the Giants before the 2026 draft gets underway.