Santa Clara, California . May 2026

The San Francisco 49ers may not be finished making major defensive moves this offseason.

After aggressively restructuring multiple contracts and reshaping parts of the roster around quarterback Brock Purdy, league insiders now believe San Francisco could be preparing one of the boldest trade pursuits of the entire NFL offseason.

According to growing speculation around league circles, the 49ers are reportedly among the teams showing strong interest in Kayvon Thibodeaux as uncertainty surrounding his long-term future with the New York Giants continues building.

Internally, several evaluators reportedly believe San Francisco views Thibodeaux as a potential “perfect schematic fit” alongside superstar edge defender Nick Bosa.

League executives reportedly expect the Giants to demand at least a second-round draft pick in any potential trade discussions involving the former top-five selection.

However, insiders now believe the 49ers could be willing to offer significantly more if negotiations ever become serious.

The former Oregon star originally entered the league carrying massive expectations before emerging into one of the NFL’s more explosive young pass rushers during his breakout 2023 season.

That year, Thibodeaux recorded:

• • 11.5 sacks
  • 50 total pressures
  • multiple forced fumbles

• career-best pass-rush production

while establishing himself as one of the foundational defensive pieces inside New York’s front seven.

Despite his talent, the Giants’ defensive future reportedly became more complicated after the additions of Brian Burns and rookie pass rusher Abdul Carter.

League insiders believe the growing depth at edge defender could eventually make Thibodeaux expendable under the right circumstances.

Meanwhile, San Francisco reportedly continues searching for another elite rotational defender capable of creating consistent pressure opposite Bosa following multiple offseason departures along the defensive line.

Internally, the 49ers reportedly view Thibodeaux as:

• a future defensive cornerstone
• an elite athletic pass rusher
• a long-term replacement piece
• a potentially dominant fit inside their defensive system

At only 25 years old, many league evaluators believe Thibodeaux still possesses enormous untapped upside entering the prime years of his NFL career.

Inside NFL circles, several executives now believe San Francisco could become one of the most aggressive teams to monitor if the Giants eventually decide to seriously entertain trade offers.

For 49ers fans, a move like this would represent far more than simply adding another talented defender.

It would represent the organization making another massive all-in move toward extending its championship window while building one of the most dangerous pass-rushing duos in football.

And if the Giants ever truly make Kayvon Thibodeaux available, many around the league now believe the 49ers could be ready to make a blockbuster offer impossible to ignore.