The New York Giants’ pass rush has a chance to be the single most important position group on the roster in 2026. With Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux returning as the core trio, the talent in this room is undeniable. 

The Giants’ defensive identity will be defined by how disruptive these edge rushers can be. The question isn’t whether the talent exists. It’s whether this group can actualize its potential instead of performing at a fraction of what it’s capable of.

Brian Burns is the anchor

Burns had a Defensive Player of the Year-worthy season in 2025, registering 16.5 sacks. The only reason he didn’t win the award was that Myles Garrett turned in a historically great campaign. 

Burns has established himself as, at the very least, a top-10 pass rusher in the NFL. 

There isn’t much to debate with Burns at this point. He’s always been productive, he’s always been a strong leader, and he managed to thrive even while fighting through the frustrations of poor play calling under former defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. He is the perfect player to lead this group and this defense. 

Burns does everything right. It’s everyone else who needs to catch up.

Abdul Carter is a superstar in the making

If there was one breakout candidate on the defensive side of the ball across the entire NFL, it should be Abdul Carter. Carter has the tools to be better than Burns. He is one of the most naturally gifted pass rushers with rare traits and an innate ability to win one-on-one.

The problem last year was focus. Carter was coached by a staff that did not know how to get the most out of him, and it showed. He wasn’t showing up; he was late for meetings, and it became a distraction during a brutal season. John Harbaugh’s leadership and the accountability he will demand of this roster will help multiple players. The single most important beneficiary will be Carter. He needed someone to lock him in. 

We will be discussing Carter as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL by the end of next season. In a couple of years, we’ll be talking about him as better than Burns. And that’s not a knock on Burns. That’s how high Carter’s ceiling truly is. 

The Giants’ defense could be elite with two top-10 pass rushers, and we’ve seen in the past how New York has won through its defense. Carter has every capability to reach that level. It’s a matter of how quickly he gets there, and he absolutely can get there quickly in year two.

The Kayvon Thibodeaux enigma

The one player who remains an enigma is Thibodeaux. Last year, he produced just 2.5 sacks, a step backward from prior seasons. That’s understandable given Carter’s increased role down the stretch, but it doesn’t answer the larger question about his future.

The biggest storyline during the preseason will be Thibodeaux’s contract. There hasn’t been any clarity on whether a deal is on the table. 

The most comparable situation is what the Pittsburgh Steelers have with Alex Highsmith, who makes $17 million alongside Nate Herbig at $25 million and T.J. Watt at $41 million. 

The Highsmith contract is what the Giants should be willing to offer Thibodeaux. Paying him $25 million or more for inconsistent, up-and-down production as the team’s tertiary rusher would be difficult to justify. That kind of money would approach what Burns earns after a 16.5-sack season. It shouldn’t be that close.

The final roster projection

The Giants will likely carry four pass rushers into the season: Burns, Carter, Thibodeaux, and Chauncey Gholston. First-round pick Arvell Reese’s versatility as an inside linebacker who can be deployed on the edge eliminates the need for additional depth. That makes it nearly impossible for players like Caleb Murphy or Chase Ford to crack the roster.

Unless the Giants trade Thibodeaux during the preseason, which doesn’t appear likely at this point, those four will be the group. Hopefully, Carter takes the leap everyone expects, Burns continues his dominance, and the Giants ride this pass rush back to relevance.