By Adeniyi Precious 
Giants GM Joe Schoen might owe Kayvon Thibodeaux a thank-you card. One of Big Blue’s biggest moves in free agency was landing former Dolphins safety Jevon Holland on a three-year, $45.3 million deal. With Xavier McKinney heading to Green Bay, the Giants had a major hole to fill in their secondary, and Holland was one of the best safeties available. But as it turns out, Schoen didn’t seal this deal alone—Thibodeaux played a key role in bringing his old college teammate to New York.
Thibodeaux’s Persistent Recruiting Paid Off
Holland recently shared on Breakin’ House Rules that Thibodeaux was a major reason he picked the Giants. The two played together at Oregon in 2019 and have stayed close. When free agency opened, Thibodeaux made sure Holland knew how badly the Giants wanted him. He called him multiple times, urging him to join Big Blue. Holland’s agent even told him to stay awake because the Giants were about to call, and sure enough, they did.
Holland said he was already intrigued by New York’s direction and liked the idea of helping a rebuilding team turn things around. But Thibodeaux’s persistence definitely helped push him over the edge.
Even McKinney Helped Sell Holland on the Giants
Here’s a twist: before making his final decision, Holland actually spoke with Xavier McKinney—yep, the same McKinney the Giants let walk in free agency. Despite leaving for the Packers, McKinney had nothing but good things to say about the Giants and even encouraged Holland to sign with them.
It’s a little ironic—New York wasn’t willing to pay McKinney but turned around and shelled out big money for another young safety. Still, Holland’s arrival gives the Giants a strong duo in the secondary alongside rookie Tyler Nubin.
As for Thibodeaux? If football doesn’t work out, maybe he’s got a future in the Giants’ front office.