If you’re an avid NFL fan, you should recognize the name Kayvon Thibodeaux, a pass rusher on the New York Giants. One thing you might not be familiar with and it could catch you by surprise, is the fact that Thibodeaux had double-digit sacks in 2023 and showed major improvement from year one to year two.

In a recent news conference before Organized Team Activities (OTAs), the 23-year-old former first-round (fifth overall pick) mentioned how he is coming after Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt’s NFL single season sack record of 22.5. “We’re just going to start this off, if you were wondering, I’m going for the record – so don’t ask. Every year I’m here, I’m going for Michael Strahan’s record.”

Taking a look at Thibodeaux and his progression from his rookie campaign to last season, the development and production was increased dramatically. For a fifth overall selection, he was ridiculed in his first season after compiling just four sacks. Many analysts and fans wrote him off as a bust but he worked extremely hard and trusted his abilities.

In year two, Thibodeaux played in all seventeen games, registered 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and four pass deflections. He was a force to be reckoned with and as he heads into year three, his goal of beating Strahan and Watt’s sack record could be very realistic.

How Realistic is it for Thibodeaux to reach the sack record? 

Honestly, it is extremely realistic and for many new reasons that were not there last season. For starters, the defensive line has improved significantly from a season ago.

This offseason, the Giants front office and head coach Brian Daboll had a vision to beef up the defensive line and did so with the addition of former Panthers gem Brian Burns. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is a sack machine and is an instant upgrade for the team’s defense. Pairing Burns with Thibodeaux and then adding in nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the mix? It could be game over for many of the opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks.

With Burns coming over and seeing how productive he has been in his short NFL career, it gives Thibodeaux a chance to get to the opposing quarterbacks more often as teams will have to ‘pick their poison’ on who to double team.

The trio of Burns, Thibodeaux, and Lawrence is certainly a nightmare for opposing teams; however, that is not the only reason why Thibodeaux could reach the NFL sack record in 2024.

Even though these three players will improve the Giants’ defense this upcoming season, it is still not enough for the organization to finish with a winning record. With a questionable offense still, the team will most likely be down in many of the games they play in. That will open up the door for Thibodeaux and others to register key sacks in what is called “garbage time”. Even though this is frowned upon, a sack is a sack and this is a great way for him to reach this goal this year.

Ultimately, I believe strongly that Thibodeaux would reach the sack record due to his healthy NFL career thus far along with the addition of Brian Burns. We will just have to wait and see but the odds are looking a lot better this year than last year around this time.