For better or worse, the New Orleans Saints appear determined to make a serious push for the playoffs in 2025. Their approach has raised eyebrows, starting with the decision to retain veteran quarterback Derek Carr as their starter, despite his advancing age and recent struggles. Building on that, the Saints surprised many by going all-in during the free agency period, spending far more than expected to bolster their roster. Clearly, the team is willing to delay addressing their looming salary cap issues for at least another year to focus on immediate improvement.
The decision to gamble heavily on short-term success stems from a disastrous 2024 season, in which the Saints finished with a dismal 5-12 record. One of the key factors in their poor performance was a lackluster front-seven defense. Statistically, they ranked among the worst in the league, finishing 30th in pass-rush win rate (31%) and also 30th in run-stop win rate. This glaring weakness made it painfully obvious that the Saints' defensive line was overwhelmed on both passing and rushing downs.
Now the question arises: could acquiring a former top-five draft pick help the Saints rebuild their defensive front to a competitive standard?
Earlier this week, Anthony Palacios of Last Word On Sports identified the New Orleans Saints as a potential trade partner for New York Giants’ outside linebacker, Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux is an intriguing option, as his rookie contract—valued at $31 million—will expire at the end of the 2025 season unless the Giants exercise his fifth-year option.
In his report, Palacios pointed out that the Saints have made efforts to address their defensive woes by bringing back Chase Young and adding safety Justin Reid to shore up their secondary. However, the team still has a pressing need for another linebacker following the departure of Willie Gay. Palacios noted that while Thibodeaux has had injury concerns, his youth and upside make him a gamble worth considering:
"Thibodeaux might be rusty (coming off injury), but it might be worth a shot to take a chance on him since he’s on the younger side," Palacios wrote.
At just 24 years old, Thibodeaux has yet to cement himself as a perennial Pro Bowl talent, but he has certainly shown flashes of brilliance when healthy. Over his 43 games with the Giants, he has amassed an impressive 21 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 46 quarterback hits. These statistics underline his ability to disrupt offenses and pressure quarterbacks, making him a potentially transformative addition for the Saints.
Nevertheless, there are concerns. Thibodeaux’s recent history of injuries, including a fractured wrist that sidelined him for five games last season, is a red flag. That said, he returned to the field strongly, recording 2.5 sacks in the Giants’ final two games of the season. If he’s able to maintain that level of performance, he could provide a much-needed boost to the Saints’ defensive front.
Whether or not the Giants are actually willing to part with Thibodeaux remains uncertain. But for the Saints, whose window for contention may be rapidly closing, rolling the dice on a player of his caliber could be the spark they need to get back on track.
The stakes are high, and as the 2025 season approaches, New Orleans is clearly signaling that they’re prepared to take bold risks. Now it’s just a matter of whether those risks will pay off—or lead to further disappointment.
