The New York Giants drafted Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. That pick put Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s future in New York on shaky ground.
Thibodeaux, the Giants’ starting edge rusher, is entering the final year of his rookie contract worth $31,339,038, per Spotrac. With Arvell Reese now in the building to play a similar defensive role, reporters asked coach John Harbaugh and GM Joe Schoen: Is Kayvon Thibodeaux staying? Harbaugh said,
“We keep all the good players as much as we can, right?” Schoen simply added, “Yup.”
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Fans weren’t buying it.
“Joe lying thru his fucking teeth,” one fan tweeted.
“Two motherf\*\*kers lying to each other,” another wrote.
One more noted “John looked like the question was so absurd.”
“We keep good players, signs Daniel Faalele,” one fan wrote
“We literally don’t, that’s the funniest part,” one added
“Gotta keep it a buck. That was the worst draft we have had in a long time and with two top-10 picks. None of it made any sense at all.” another added
Arvell Reese cited his pad level, coverage, and pass-rush reps as areas he wants to develop.
What role will Arvell Reese play for the New York Giants?
John Harbaugh addressed Arvell Reese’s fit in the defense after the draft. He described New York’s scheme as “flexible, position-less” and said Reese would line up at both inside and outside, would be a linebacker next to veteran Tremaine Edmunds.
Joe Schoen said why they targeted Arvell Reese.
“He’s just scratching the surface,” Schoen said, pointing to Reese’s size, length, and versatility.
Arvell Reese recorded 6.5 sacks in his final college season at Ohio State. Joe Schoen added that the Giants won’t need to force him into one role their defensive staff will find creative ways to use him alongside the pieces already in place.
Edited by Aman Kashyap
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