The New York Giants and pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux have been in a strange limbo for months. The draft selection of Arvell Reese made it seem like Thibodeaux was on the way out of New York. And yet, the Giants have only reinforced their desire to keep him for this season.

But after the Myles Garrett trade shook the league last week, it made it very clear that no one is untradable in the NFL. 

John Harbaugh’s comments say a lot without saying much

Giants head coach John Harbaugh has spoken glowingly about Thibodeaux throughout minicamp, praising his work ethic and his willingness to ignore the trade noise. Harbaugh also emphasized that Thibodeaux has stepped up as a leader, which makes sense, given that he is now the most tenured defensive player on the roster after Dexter Lawrence’s departure.

However, Harbaugh’s most telling comment came during Thursday’s practice.

“Nobody knows what the future holds, but the future holds games that he’s going to be playing a lot of plays in, and he’s going to play really well,” Harbaugh said.

That quote works both ways. On one hand, Harbaugh is reinforcing Thibodeaux’s value.

On the other hand, “nobody knows what the future holds” is textbook coachspeak that leaves the door wide open. The most important point is that Harbaugh didn’t definitively shut anything down. 

Why a trade is plausible

The Myles Garrett trade proved something significant. If a player of Garrett’s caliber can be moved, then nobody is untouchable.

Not to mention, the Giants are stacked at edge rusher. Abdul Carter (for whom we got an injury update), Brian Burns, and now Arvell Reese give them a deep pass rush arsenal. Reese’s versatility as a multi-role defender only reinforces the idea that Thibodeaux is the expendable piece if the right offer materializes.

The most logical scenario involves an in-season trade or a preseason deal triggered by another team losing a key pass rusher to an extended absence. A contender scrambling for help could call New York, and if the compensation is right, the Giants should pick up the phone.

What would the compensation look like?

Some of the projected returns I’ve seen floating around feel too low. A fourth-round pick alone wouldn’t get this done. Anything that starts the conversation has to begin with at least a third-round pick for this to be worth it.

There are a few recent comparable trades worth examining.

The Jonathan Greenard deal sent Greenard and a seventh-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick. Multiple picks in that range would be enticing for the Giants.

The Jermaine Johnson trade, which sent Johnson from the Jets to the Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat straight up, also presents an intriguing framework.

The Chase Young midseason trade from the Commanders to the 49ers fetched a compensatory third-round pick.

Of those, the Sweat-style deal stands out most. The Giants’ defensive tackle room remains a glaring concern, especially after losing Roy Robertson-Harris to injury. If a team came to the table and offered a starting-caliber defensive tackle, that’s a swap worth making. You’re moving on from a player who is slipping down your depth chart in exchange for someone who fills a genuine hole.

The problem with finding the right deal

The difficulty is identifying a trade partner with both the motivation to acquire Thibodeaux and a defensive tackle the Giants would actually want. The Saints still need pass rush help even after acquiring Tyree Wilson, and a package centered around Brian Bresee plus a third- or fourth-round pick could be worth considering. Bresee was a highly touted prospect who hadn’t reached his ceiling in New Orleans, and a change of scenery could benefit both sides.

The Patriots, Chiefs, and 49ers have also been mentioned as potential suitors, but none of them have a defensive tackle they’d willingly part with who would meaningfully upgrade New York’s roster.

Ultimately, Thibodeaux probably isn’t getting traded anytime soon, but if he does, it will only happen if someone makes an offer the Giants can’t refuse. Hopefully, he ends up being a key contributor to whatever success this team finds in 2025