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Could Kayvon Thibodeaux’s time in New York be winding down?
A Trade No One Saw Coming—But Kind of Makes Sense
With training camps looming and most rosters seemingly locked in, the NFL rumor mill found a surprising way to spin back to life—thanks to a juicy trade suggestion involving a recent top-five draft pick. According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, could be on the move—and he might be heading somewhere in the NFC North.
Yep, Schatz is stirring the pot with a wild but plausible idea: The Detroit Lions or Green Bay Packers might be the next landing spot for Thibodeaux. A move that would raise eyebrows—and potentially, opposing quarterbacks’ heart rates.
What’s the Deal with Thibodeaux?
Let’s rewind. Thibodeaux came into the league with a ton of hype after dominating at Oregon. And when he’s healthy, the guy produces. In 2023, he racked up 11.5 sacks, silencing early doubts. But here’s the catch—injuries have been part of the story in two of his first three seasons. In 2025, with just 5.5 sacks over 12 games, the chatter about his fit in New York is back.
And now? He’s buried on the depth chart behind Pro Bowler Brian Burns and first-round rookie Abdul Carter. That’s a tough crowd to break through. So why not move him while his trade value still has a pulse?
Schatz thinks so, writing:
“The Giants can also trade Thibodeaux to a contender that needs help on the edge, such as the Packers or the Lions, and probably get a Day 2 pick in return.”
It’s not a panic sale—it’s strategic asset flipping.
Why Detroit Makes a Lot of Sense
For the Lions, this could be a huge value move. While Detroit’s defense has made strides under Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn, pairing Thibodeaux with Aidan Hutchinson would create one of the most explosive young pass-rushing duos in the league. That’s something that keeps opposing OCs up at night.
The Lions didn’t exactly break the bank for edge help this offseason. In fact, some fans were scratching their heads about the lack of urgency on that front. A Thibodeaux addition would flip that narrative fast.
And let’s be honest—GM Brad Holmes has shown he’s not afraid to make bold, win-now moves when the value is right.
Or Could It Be Green Bay?
On the other side of the rivalry, the Packers have their own reasons to look into this. They’ve got youth, a revamped offense, and they’re hoping to capitalize on momentum from a strong 2024 finish. Adding a high-upside defender with Pro Bowl potential could tip the scales in a loaded NFC playoff race.
Plus, it’s not like Green Bay’s front office hasn’t dipped into creative roster-building before. If they think Thibodeaux has untapped juice, this might be the time to roll the dice.
So… Will It Happen?
Hard to say. For now, it’s just one analyst’s theory. But it’s grounded in logic, not just hot take fodder. The Giants do need more help building around young QB Jaxson Dart and star receiver Malik Nabers. And yes, Thibodeaux would command attention from contenders.
If either Detroit or Green Bay pulls the trigger, they’re not just getting a body—they’re getting a potential game-wrecker.
So don’t be surprised if you see a “Breaking: Lions Trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux” notification in the coming weeks. It might just be one of the sneakiest power moves of the summer.