Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

One Deal Cincinnati Bengals Should Make Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 12:13 PM ET

The Bengals didn't make a splash on defense in free agency, but they should make one ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.

Giants star edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is may be available ahead of the trade deadline according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. ET. Cincinnati should be all-in on adding a player like Thibodeaux to their defense.

Not only would he give them a boost this season, but he could be a key building block to their future.

Thibodeaux has 148 tackles and 23.5 sacks in 51 career games. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Bengals desperately need another game changing player on defense. They have Trey Hendrickson and have invested in guys like Shemar Stewart, Myles Murphy and Dax Hill.

Thibodeaux, 24, would give them a high-end run defender with plenty of pass rush juice that could breathe life into a pass rusher that has struggled all season long.

Thibodeaux has a 68.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus this season. That would be the third-highest grade for a starter on the Bengals' defense behind Hendrickson (82.9) and DJ Turner (75.5).

Thibodeaux is also under contract for the 2026 season. He's set to make $14.75 million on the fifth-year option.

He'll need to be paid this offseason, but that shouldn't discourage a team like the Bengals from trading for him. They've struggled to add building blocks on defense and desperately need more playmakers. Thibodeaux would pair with Hendrickson to give the Bengals a dynamic duo at defensive end. He's good against the run and would give the defense a major boost for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.

Keeping Thibodeaux and Hendrickson together long-term would be ideal, but adding a 24-year-old that has Pro Bowl potential is the exact type of move the Bengals should be looking to make ahead of the trade deadline.

What would it cost to land the former fifth overall pick? The Bengals should be willing to part with a second round pick—maybe more to get Thibodeaux in the building. They've spent plenty of premium draft capital on unproven players that haven't worked out on defense. Landing a proven commodity would be worth premium cost.

Sources: Another name to watch on the trade front is #Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux. He’s under contract for another year after this season, but some around the league have wondered whether he’s part of New York’s long-term plans and if he could become available with the Giants… pic.twitter.com/WO4ANH9GWQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 28, 2025