New England Patriots
Kayvon Thibodeaux could bolster a Patriots’ pass-rushing corps that only recorded 35 sacks last season.
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been linked in trade rumors for most of the offseason. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The New England Patriots have made significant upgrades across their roster this offseason, be it in their pass-catching corps with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs or adding Kevin Byard to their secondary.
But, the case can be made that the Patriots still need to bolster their pass-rushing personnel, especially after a 2025 season where New England only recorded 35 sacks — ahead of just six other teams across the NFL.
New England signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $39.5 million contract in March, but the Patriots still have to account for the loss of K’Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Commanders in free agency after posting 7.5 sacks with the Patriots last year.
And with 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas not present at mandatory minicamp — coupled with injury concerns over veteran Harold Landry Jr. — New England’s depth chart on the edge is looking pretty thin at this stage of the offseason.
Could Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux be a potential trade target?
The 25-year-old Thibodeaux — selected fifth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft — is seemingly on the outs with a rebuilding Giants roster, with the athletic edge the subject of multiple trade rumors this offseason.
And, if New York wants to find a taker for Thibodeaux — who is currently commanding more than $14 million in salary on his fifth-year option — Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman was quick to link the Patriots as a potential fit.
“His salary is a lot for a rotational edge rusher, so unless they really want expensive protection against injury, a trade makes a lot of sense for the Giants,” Auman wrote of Thibodeaux.
Auman then tabbed the Patriots as a potential landing spot for Thibodeaux, noting that former Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is currently serving as a defensive analyst on Mike Vrabel’s staff in New England.
There are a few red flags for a player like Thibodeaux, starting with that hefty salary for a rather one-dimensional player whose game has stagnated over the last few years.
Thibodeaux’s recent decline is due in large part to injuries, with the former Ducks standout missing 12 games over the last two seasons.
As he fell down the Giants’ depth chart this past season, Thibodeaux only recorded 2.5 sacks over 10 games with 25 total tackles and nine QB hits.
But Thibodeaux was a force during the 2023 season in New York — recording 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 QB hits over 17 games.
If New England thinks it can get Thibodeaux back on track in more of a situational role, he could be a potential value add for a Patriots team that needs to generate more pressure against opposing QBs moving forward.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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