Topic / Subject
Combine buzz says the Giants are listening to trade offers for Kayvon Thibodeaux as his 2026 fifth-year option decision approaches.

TL;DR
This is real enough to monitor because Reuters reported it, but “listening” doesn’t mean “moving.” The Giants may be testing the market more than shopping him hard.

Key Details

  • Reuters reports the Giants are entertaining trade offers for Thibodeaux, citing SNY reporting from the NFL Combine.
  • Thibodeaux has 23.5 sacks in 53 career games, per Reuters.
  • Reuters notes Thibodeaux is set for a fully guaranteed fifth-year option salary for 2026.
  • Potential trade partners and asking price have not been reported.

Breakdown
The Combine is the league’s quiet marketplace: agents, GMs, and cap people all in the same place, with just enough privacy for real conversations and just enough noise for leverage plays.

For the Giants, the timing makes sense. Fifth-year option decisions can force a front office to pick a lane: pay the premium, extend early, or see what the market looks like. If the team isn’t sure the long-term price matches their plan, “listening” becomes the cleanest first step.

For other teams, the appeal is obvious: pass rushers are always expensive and always in demand. If a team believes Thibodeaux is ascending, they might prefer paying him over hunting a similar player in a weaker market.

The part we don’t have yet is intent. Some “we’re listening” situations are serious shopping. Others are just a GM doing homework and building leverage for an extension or option decision.

What We Know

  • Reuters reported the Giants are entertaining offers, citing SNY reporting connected to Combine chatter.
  • Reuters reported Thibodeaux’s sack totals (23.5 in 53 games).
  • Reuters reported he’s set for a fully guaranteed fifth-year option salary for 2026.

What We Don’t Know

  • Whether the Giants truly want to move him or are simply gauging value.
  • Which teams (if any) are actively pursuing him.
  • What the Giants would accept as a baseline return.

What Would Confirm It

  • A reputable report naming specific interested teams (not just “multiple teams”).
  • Clear reporting on the type of return being discussed (picks/players, not exact numbers).
  • A follow-up report that negotiations progressed beyond “calls” into real proposal exchange.

Can This Actually Happen?
Yes, because trades happen at this stage, but it depends on the incentives lining up. The acquiring team would be taking on a major 2026 decision and would need to be comfortable with the future cost. The Giants would need a return that improves their timeline more than keeping a productive edge rusher would.

Would It Even Make Sense?

  • Scheme fit: Thibodeaux’s value is highest for a team that can feature him as a primary pressure piece.
  • Depth chart role: he’s not a “nice-to-have” add; he’s a “build the front around him” type investment.
  • Timeline: If the Giants are reshaping their roster and don’t want to commit to the option/extension path, moving him now could be cleaner, but it’s also painful, because pass rush is one of the hardest things to replace.

Verdict Box
Likelihood: Medium
Why: Reuters putting it out gives it weight, and the option timeline creates natural pressure. But “listening” often ends with “we learned the market and moved on.”

What to Watch Next

  • Any report identifying actual bidders (not just “the Giants are listening”).
  • Whether Giants leadership frames him as a cornerstone publicly at the Combine.
  • If later reports shift language from “listening” to “actively shopping” or “close to a deal.”

Sources
Reuters — Report: Giants fielding offers for LB Kayvon Thibodeaux
Yahoo Sports — Report: New York Giants listening to trade offers for Kayvon Thibodeaux

Comment
If you’re the Giants, are you extending Thibodeaux, playing out the option, or taking a picks-heavy deal if it’s on the table?


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