Brian Burns did not hesitate when asked to identify the unsung hero of the New York Giants' defense. Speaking on ESPN, the injured edge rusher pointed directly to teammate Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"[Kayvon Thibodeaux is] really the unsung hero in this whole thing."@Fire_Burns99 explains the impact Kayvon Thibodeaux has both on and off the field 🙌 pic.twitter.com/29ff86sJkG
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 30, 2026
"My boy Thibs, he's really the unsung hero in this whole thing," Burns said. "Even when I was on the field, he was like the glue that made it stick. He does a lot of dirty work in the run game, and he's taken over the SAM position for me, so he's the unsung hero."
Burns suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this year, shifting more responsibility onto Thibodeaux.
The 2022 first-round
pick has responded by handling a versatile role that extends well beyond the pass rush. While his sack total remains at zero through seven games, the former Oregon standout has recorded 15 tackles and continued to set the edge in the run game.
That production has not always registered in the traditional box score, fueling criticism from some Giants fans who measure his impact primarily by sacks.
Those closer to the defense see a different picture. Over the past three weeks, Thibodeaux has played a high-level role as the team has navigated life without Burns. Head coach John Harbaugh even suggested Thibodeaux "could have been the player of the game" in the overtime win over the Houston Texans, citing his overall presence despite a dropped interception.
His work has helped the Giants remain competitive at 4-2-1 and alone atop the NFC East heading into their bye week.
Thibodeaux has become a lightning rod for negativity among some supporters seeking reasons to critique the roster. Yet Burns' endorsement underscores the value of the less-visible contributions that hold a defense together. With Burns sidelined for the remainder of the season, that glue role will only grow more important.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Brian Burns: Kayvon Thibodeaux is New York Giants' unsung hero
