Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has set a big personal goal as he enters his third season in New York.
Thibodeaux revealed at a news conference before Thursday’s organized team activities that he wants to break the season sack record of 22.5, which is currently held by former Giants great Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt.
“We’re just going to start this off, if you were wondering, I’m going for the record — so don’t ask,” he said jokingly, via NJ.com. “Every year I’m here, I’m going for Michael Strahan’s record.”
Strahan held the sack record alone for two decades after setting the mark during his 2001 Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Watt tied that record while taking home the same award in 2021.
Thibodeaux, who recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023, has arguably his best opportunity to date to chase history. This offseason, New York acquired two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers to pair with Thibodeaux and another Pro Bowler in Dexter Lawrence.
Although pieces like Burns have been added to make life easier, Thibodeaux will also need to make adjustments in 2024. New York mutually agreed to part ways with former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale following last season and then hired Shane Bowen. In April, Bowen said he wanted the trademark of his new defense to be “violence.” He’ll work on implementing that approach using a dynamic front line with the trio of Burns, Lawrence and Thibodeaux to hunt down opposing quarterbacks.
Thibodeaux, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, believes that the game of football has evolved since Strahan played. He is confident that these changes will work in his favor as he pursues the sack record, and he’s prepared for the opportunity.
“Now being here, it’s like he (Strahan) didn’t have as many rush opportunities as I’m going to have,” Thibodeaux said, via the team transcript. “The game wasn’t as much passes as it was before. I have an opportunity that people would wish they could be in. It’s only right if I give the people what they want. I honor myself by putting everything on the line, trying to be the best.”
