Giants predicted to make long-awaited trade, send star pass-rusher to NFC foe

The New York have come up in rumors of a trade involving edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux for what seems like forever. Jordan Raanan of ESPN stated that "multiple league sources" expect him to be moved. But when could a deal happen?

New head coach John Harbaugh has spent the past couple of months assessing his roster and identifying where upgrades can be made. After an active free-agent signing period, the team could choose to move Thibodeaux ahead of next month's draft, acquiring at least one more pick for the selection process. 

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report sees the Green Bay Packers as the team that will land Thibodeaux, adding him to a defense that includes Micah Parsons, whom they traded for last season. 

"The Green Bay Packers made the biggest trade of the 2025 offseason, acquiring Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys. They reaped early rewards of that trade, but the star pass-rusher tore his ACL last December, which jeopardizes his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign.

The Packers traded starting outside linebacker Rashan Gary to the Cowboys and lost Kingsley Enagbare to the New York Jets in free agency. They need reinforcements on the edge.

Assuming Parsons makes a full recovery, Green Bay doesn't need to take a big swing at a pass-rusher. However, Lukas Van Ness is in the final term of his rookie deal, and he's registered just 8.5 sacks through three seasons. The Packers' secondary could struggle if the defensive front fails to generate pocket pressure.

Green Bay can make a move for Kayvon Thibodeaux with the intention of pairing him with Parsons for the long term. It's a risky move given the four-year pro's inconsistent production, but he could benefit from lining up across an elite pass-rusher. Also, new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon can maximize Thibodeaux's strengths in a mixed front. Green Bay could possibly get a deal done with a Day 2 pick", wrote Moton. 

Giants, Packers involved in predicted trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux

After selecting Abdul Carter in the first round last year and having him along with Brian Burns, who was second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks, the Giants do have the room to do this. Thibodeaux played in just 10 games last season and registered only 2.5 sacks. 

Still, having him on the roster is a luxury and the Giants shouldn't feel pressured to trade him. Moton suggests they look for a Day 2 pick in return, which would mean a selection in the second or third round. That would be a good return, but the team should not accept anything less than a third-round pick. 

Thibodeaux is still just 25 years old. However, he is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next year. The Giants could get something for him now before risking losing him next offseason for nothing. 

A team like the Packers would have to take that into consideration as well. If you're trading for a player that young, it's likely that you'd want him around for the long term, so the team would have to be thinking about a contract extension. Giving up an early-round pick in that scenario is more difficult to do. 

It's an interesting proposition for both teams. But the Giants sending their former first-round pick to a contender in exchange for a premium draft pick this year would be a move that makes sense for both teams. 

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