Patriots Predicted To Trade For $84 Million Giants Star Next Year

The New England Patriots stayed quiet at this year’s NFL trade deadline, but could get busy this offseason. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicted on Thursday that the Patriots would trade for New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux was the fifth-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, his future with the Giants is unclear. The Giants picked up his $14 million fifth-year option before this season started, but the team has control over Brian Burns through 2028 and Abdul Carter through 2029.

Burns is signed to a $141 million deal, and Carter was the third-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Thibodeaux could be the odd man out, and if the Giants would rather pay Carter, Thibodeaux could be moved.

Moton projected it would take a 2026 second-round pick and future Day 3 picks to land Thibodeaux. He had 11.5 sacks in his second season, but has just 12 in the rest of his career. He thrived before Burns’ arrival, and now that he is also conceding opportunities to Carter, he may be better suited to play elsewhere.

“In nine games, Thibodeaux has 22 tackles, five for loss, 2.5 sacks and 10 pressures, which is underwhelming for a top-five pick in his fourth year,” Moton wrote on Thursday. “At that production rate, he won’t fetch a first-round selection headed into the final year of his rookie deal, but the Giants can recoup multiple picks for him because of his high premium position.”

The Patriots spent more money last offseason than any team, according to Spotrac. The team is reaping the benefits to the tune of a 7-2 record. Adding Thibodeaux could be a move that betters the Patriots’ chances of winning a Super Bowl with Mike Vrabel.

Thibodeaux is projected to sign a four-year, $84 million deal. If the Patriots think he can be the player he was in his second season, that price would be a bargain.