The spirit of generosity rubbed off on Kayvon Thibodeaux as he talked for the first time about the Giants drafting Abdul Carter into a suddenly crowded pᴀss rush.
In other words, the more the merrier.
Thibodeaux expressed confidence Tuesday at the United Way’s Gridiron Gala that the Giants will find ways to get him, Carter and Brian Burns on the field together even though only two of them technically will start in a 3-4 defensive alignment.
“That’s the outside linebacker position, where we’re those ’tweeners,” Thibodeaux told reporters. “When you look at my skill set, Brian’s probably better rushing inside than I am, but I can rush inside. Brian can rush inside. He can rush from depth. I can rush from depth. So can Abdul. So we’ll see how they mix it up, but we’ll definitely all be on the field at some point.”
The Giants simultaneously drafted Carter with the No. 3 pick in the draft and exercised the fifth-year option on Thibodeaux’s contract for 2026.
That means that the trio will be together for at least two seasons under three of the Giants’ nine biggest contracts.
Carter’s first two weeks in the NFL have been dominated by his jersey selection process, after he was respectfully rebuffed by Giants legends Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms when inquiring about unretiring their No. 56 and No. 11, respectively.
Thibodeaux’s advice for handling the noise is simple.
“I would say keep going, man. Let it be fuel to your fire,” Thibodeaux told The Post. “Don’t get distracted by it. I think this is just the start. There’s a lot of ups and downs in this league.”
Anyone who expected Thibodeaux — the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft — to feel threatened by Carter stealing away some of his playing time was wrong.
Thibodeaux has logged 80 percent or more of the defensive snaps in 27 of his 43 career games.
“I’m happy about it,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m inspired about it. I don’t really care either way what they said or how they felt. But I’m super excited to have him and I think he’s going to dominate.”
Add in Dexter Lawrence and the Giants have three pᴀss rushers who have had nine or more sacks in an NFL season, plus Carter coming off 12 (and a NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss) at Penn State last season.
“As great as you want be,” Thibodeaux responded when asked how great the defensive line could be. “I think as long as we put our mind to it and we come together, and we’re really cohesive in our rushing and our game plan, I think the sky’s the limit.”
Thibodeaux and Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor — a former Giant — were honored as Hometown Heroes by the United Way of New York City. Thibodeaux started the JREAM Foundation in his native Los Angeles to create educational, mentorship and career exploration opportunities for under-resourced youth.
