Report reveals why Saints didn't trade for Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux

Why isn't Kayvon Thibodeaux a member of the New Orleans Saints ? Trade talks with the New York Giants went on for months, but when the 2026 NFL Draft came around and real deadlines emerged, neither side was able to reach across the table and shake hands on a deal. New Orleans was a team known for wanting another pass rusher in the rotation behind Chase Young and Carl Granderson (and with or without Cameron Jordan in the mix).

The Giants were suddenly a team with an embarrassment of riches at the position after drafting Arvell Reese, who joined a depth chart already crowded by Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Abdul Carter. It looked like an opportunity for both teams to get what they wanted. So what happened?

The Athletic's Dan Duggan shared some insight to how those talks broke down: "The Saints were the team most interested in trading for Thibodeaux, however, according to a league source. The problem was the sides weren’t close on potential compensation. The Saints’ best offer is believed to have been a fourth-round pick (No.

132), while the Giants were seeking a second-round pick — the Saints had the 42nd selection. "The Saints moved on, instead sending a fifth-round pick to the Raiders for defensive end Tyree Wilson and a seventh-round pick. The seventh pick in the 2023 draft, Wilson has 12 sacks in three seasons.