New York Giants third-year EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux is setting lofty goals for himself in 2024. During a press conference before Thursday's organized team activities practice, Thibodeaux revealed that he wants to break the single-season sack record of 22.5 in 2024.
"We're just going to start this off, if you were wondering, I'm going for the record -- so don't ask," Thibodeaux said. "Every year I'm here, I'm going for Michael Strahan's record."
"In case y'all wondering, I'm going for the record, so don't ask."
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) May 23, 2024
Kayvon Thibodeaux began his media availability by telling everyone he's coming for Michael Strahan's sack record🤣 pic.twitter.com/D5ra74funP
All-time Giants great Michael Strahan is the co-holder of the record. T.J. Watt equaled his achievement of 22.5 sacks in 2021. Both players were rewarded with Defensive Player of the Year for their respective showcases.
2024 is shaping up to be a career-best campaign for Thibodeaux. After an up-and-down rookie campaign in 2022 that was hampered by injury, Thibodeaux broke out of his shell in 2023. The former No. 5 overall selection exploded to generate a career-best 11.5 sacks and 43 pressures. He established himself as a roster-building cornerstone moving forward.
The Giants made moves in the offseason that should increase Thibodeaux's productivity. General manager Joe Schoen acquired two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. Pairing Thibodeaux with Burns should allow the Giants to field one of the most dangerous one-two punches across the league at outside linebacker. Interior pressure will also arrive from Dexter Lawrence, who is under contract through 2027. Opposing offensive coordinators will have difficulty blocking the Giants in 2024.
For context, the Giants' second-most productive edge defender last season was Jihad Ward, who recorded a modest 5.0 sacks. Burns accumulated 8.0 quarterback takedowns and that was considered a lesser year by his standards considering he totaled 30.5 sacks from 2020 to 2022.
Thibodeaux was among the most double-teamed pass rushers throughout 2023. Offensive lines won't be allowed to double-team Thibodeaux with the same frequency with Burns also commanding their attention. Azeez Ojulari and Boogie Basham will be productive rotational rushers who offer the star tandem a breather when necessary.
Double team rate (x) by pass rush win rate (y) charts for edge rushers and defensive tackles, updated through Week 17!
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) January 3, 2024
(ESPN Analytics / NFL Next Gen Stats) pic.twitter.com/B7zHTEbxsG
The Giants also made a change at defensive coordinator that should positively impact Thibodeaux's game in 2024. Don "Wink" Martindale has been replaced by former Tennessee Titans DC Shane Bowen. In April, Bowen said he wanted “violence” to be the trademark of his new defense.
Bowen oversaw a Titans defense that produced two double-digit sack artists in 2023 (Denico Autry and Harold Landry). It may have been three had Jeffery Simmons not missed five games with injury. Autry had a career-high 11.5 sacks and Landry overcame a 2022 torn ACL to total 10.5 quarterback takedowns. The Titans recorded 11 more sacks (45) than the Giants did last season (34). Under Bowen’s guidance in 2021, the Titans had three pass rushers with eight or more sacks.
Thibodeaux was one of the most productive edge defenders in the league throughout 2023. The Giants have spent the offseason ensuring the conditions around him will be even more favorable in 2024. Setting the single-season sack record may be an overly lofty expectation, but Thibodeaux is primed for a massive campaign nonetheless.
