Rumors have circulated for months about the Giants shopping Thibodeaux, the 2022 No. 5 overall pick, as the roster depth at edge rusher grows. While ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Giants aren’t interested in trading Thibodeaux after drafting Reese, industry chatter suggests the move could still create leverage for teams weighing trades, including the Bears.
For Chicago, the timing is intriguing. The Bears have cleared about $10.4 million in cap space through contract restructures, bringing their total 2026 cap room to nearly $11 million. A trade for Thibodeaux would require balancing his $14.75 million cap hit with their still-developing pass-rush, though the upside of a proven veteran could be appealing.
The Bears hold two late second-round picks and a third-round selection on Day 2, which could allow them to pursue Thibodeaux or instead address edge needs with remaining options such as Zion Young, T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, or Gabe Jacas. Waiting could be advantageous if top edge talents fall to their No. 57 pick, but Chicago podría consider a more immediate move if the board tightens.
Overall, the Reese selection complicates the Thibodeaux trade conversation by shifting depth charts and potential leverage. The Bears may monitor Day 2 developments closely, weighing whether to pursue a veteran presence to bolster the defense immediately or to wait for favorable value later in the draft.
As the draft progresses, teams will continue to weigh edge-rush talent against cap considerations and long-term fit, with Thibodeaux remains a potential trade candidate for a franchise seeking an impactful, ready-made contributor to its pass-rush attack.
