Giants reportedly make massive Kayvon Thibodeaux decision after Dexter Lawrence II trade

The New York Giants surprised many of their fans and other outsiders when they agreed to trade popular defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Previously, both Lawrence and Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux had been the subject of trade rumors. It now sounds like Thibodeaux won't be going anywhere before the draft wraps up this coming weekend. 

Giants have "likely" decided to do this with Kayvon Thibodeaux

"The Giants, who had gotten trade calls centered around edge Kayvon Thibodeaux for the last few months, are now considered less likely to trade him following the blockbuster deal sending Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed on Monday morning. "No one is ruling anything out. But unlikely."

Thibodeaux is in a contract year, and he could be considered surplus to requirements for a Giants team that should have veteran Brian Burns and 2025 first-round draft pick Abdul Carter chasing quarterbacks during games this coming fall. While Burns signed a five-year contract in March 2024, Carter is on an inexpensive rookie deal for the next few seasons. 

That said, the Giants seemingly wouldn't be able to get what they would consider equal value for Thibodeaux's services after he tallied a total of eight sacks across the past two campaigns. Injuries limited him to just 22 regular-season games over that time.

Giants could change minds about Kayvon Thibodeaux on one condition

This past fall, both Lawrence and Thibodeaux suggested that they wanted to remain with the Giants despite the team's struggles since the start of the 2023 season. Lawrence reportedly changed his mind about that at some point over the past handful of months, and longtime New York sports reporter Ian O'Connor of The Athletic noted that new Big Blue head coach John Harbaugh "does not want Giants who don't want to be Giants." 

If Thibodeaux strongly makes it known either publicly or behind the scenes that he wants a fresh start elsewhere, Harbaugh could grant the 25-year-old's wish and also acquire a 2026 or 2027 pick in return for the fifth overall selection of the 2022 draft.