Breaking: Giants Rookie Issues Bold Challenge to Steelers Star — ‘I’m Coming for Your Record!

A former first-round pick for the New York Giants has his eyes set on breaking a record currently shared by Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.

Watt tied the NFL’s single-season sack record in 2021 with 22.5 sacks, matching Giants legend and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan’s mark from 2001. Both players earned AP Defensive Player of the Year honors for their dominant seasons.

Now, entering his fourth NFL season, Kayvon Thibodeaux is aiming to surpass that historic total in a Giants uniform.

“Every time I step on the field, I want to top my personal best—more sacks, more tackles, whatever it takes to help the team,” Thibodeaux said. “I’m still chasing that record. I’ll go for it every year.”

Drafted No. 5 overall in 2022, Thibodeaux has totaled 21 sacks in 43 games. His best single-season mark came in 2023, when he notched 11.5 sacks, though he managed just 5.5 in 12 games last season.

Thibodeaux is now part of a formidable Giants pass rush that includes newly acquired Brian Burns—who signed a five-year, $141 million extension—and 2025 No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter. Alongside them is interior force Dexter Lawrence, one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.

That depth could make it harder for Thibodeaux to consistently rack up sacks, but he believes he’s left too many opportunities on the field in the past and is focused on finishing plays in 2025.

“I didn’t finish,” he admitted. “I had around five half-sacks that should’ve been full sacks, and missed four or five tackles at the point of the sack. It’s about finishing now—making every play count.”

Even with a potential breakout season ahead, Thibodeaux still has some ground to cover before being considered in the same tier as T.J. Watt.