Each NFL team has players and/or coaches on the so-called "hot seat," people who could be in for a major career move should they not produce at a higher level in the coming season.
In a recent article for CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles identified one player or coach on the hot seat for each NFL team. For the New York Giants, he chose fifth-year linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Kayvon Thibodeaux has seen the Giants both draft (EDGE Abdul Carter) and trade (EDGE Brian Burns) over him, and both players have been more productive than he has. The 2022 No. 5 overall pick registered just 2.5 sacks in 10 games (shoulder), a far cry from his 11.5-sack 2023 season that seemed to hold so much promise.
Thibodeaux is heading into the fifth-year option of his rookie
contract, so it's a big year for his wallet, too.
It's no secret the Giants were listening to trade offers for Thibodeaux this past offseason, and they still may be. They have to see his guaranteed $14.7 million salary and cap hit as an excess. The Giants' pass rush has an abundance of options with Carter, Burns, rookies Arvell Reese and Jack Kelly, and defensive end Chauncey Golston, who many thought was vastly misused last season.
The Giants' plans for Thibodeaux are unclear. They exercised his fifth-year option but also have been using valuable draft capital to stockpile linebackers and pass rushers. Perhaps it is his inability to remain healthy that has the Giants a bit jittery about his future.
New head coach John Harbaugh isn't writing Thibodeaux off, even though the former Oregon star who Big Blue selected fifth overall in 2022 is no longer a starter. Harbaugh sees him as a leader.
"I like him. I think he's a smart, thoughtful guy," Harbaugh said. "He's all ball. He's determined. He's kind of no-nonsense. He's got a good sense of humor. I like him. He's a good dude. Works hard. You know, you're a coach, you like guys who work hard. He's a leader. All those things."
So, Thibodeaux isn't exactly on the hot seat in East Rutherford. His status is simply uncertain. He's a role player who may not be afforded an ample opportunity to prove his worth this season.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux named a player on the 'hot seat'
