NY Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux Says Goals Provide Direction

New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is a top-five draft pick, but as far as he’s concerned, that was a long time ago, and for now and the future, it’s all about becoming a premier NFL pass rusher.

To that end, Thibodeaux has never been afraid to admit to having lofty goals, such as eyeing the NFL single-season sack record currently shared by retired Giants legend Michael Strahan and Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt. 

But, at the end of the day, it’s all about Thibodeaux playing his brand of ball with the Giants' defensive scheme.

“For me, I just want to play my best ball, whatever that looks like, so not only the numbers, but having the film to match it,” Thibodeaux said Thursday.

Last season, Thibodeaux was on a mission to top his 2023 season performance in which he recorded a career-best 11.5 sacks to lead the Giants. Unfortunately, a wrist injury shortened his season, and he ended up with 5.5 sacks. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old managed to finish 16th in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate (17%) among edge rushers last season.

Thibodeaux knows he has a lot more that he’s yet to show, which is in part why he sets such lofty goals.

“I feel like if you don't have any goals, you don't have any direction. If you don't have things set out for what you want to do, it's hard to figure out what you're going to do,” he said. 

“I like to set goals so that I can at least set a standard and say, ‘Am I playing to my standard?’ And that's why I've added the film to back up not just the goals, but also the fact that you may not get 22 sacks. 

“You may not get 100-and-something tackles, but if you fall somewhere in between that and then you have the film and the hard work and everything to back that up, then you can be considered still a top player.” 

Thibodeaux "flipped the switch"