New York Jets’ head coach Aaron Glenn, right, greets Garrett Wilson during a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets’ quarterback Justin Fields during a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn walks through the field house after a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants safety Jevon Holland (8) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) cools off during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets’ quarterback Justin Fields, left, hands off to Breece Hall during a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants quarterbacks Jaxson Dart (6), quarterback Jameis Winston (19), quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) and Russell Wilson (3) during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) tries to catch his breath at the podium after he raced into the field house with linebacker Abdul Carter to speak to the media after a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) is interviewed after a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants tight end Thomas Fidone II (86) loosens up before a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (28) and the defensive backs during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (0) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants radio play-by-play man Bob Papa watches a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets’ quarterback Justin Fieldsduring a joint training camp practice with the New York Giants, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants linebacker Trace Ford (46) participates in drills during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) puts on his helmet during a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) speaks to the media after a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart speaks to the media after a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Giants guard Marcus Mbow (71) and linebacker Abdul Carter (51) wait for their turn to be interviewed after a joint training camp practice with the New York Jets, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
A year ago, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner added a little heat to training camp and the preseason with just the wave of a hand at the end of a joint practice. Gardner and the Jets defense had just dominated their crosstown rivals, and he was happy to make sure they knew about it – which drew Gardner some ire from Giants fans and sparked a debate between the fan bases about the extent to which the Jets had dominated that practice.
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So it was almost surprising earlier this week, when the Giants got the better of the Jets’ offense in the second joint practice and the two teams quietly parted ways – with no gestures – before Saturday’s preseason matchup. But that changed a day later, when Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux offered not a wave, but a bit of a mic drop when asked to assess what he thought of Jets new quarterback Justin Fields during the practices.
“Man, it’s tough for quarterbacks right now,” Thibodeaux said on a video call Thursday. “Especially in practice, especially [against] us. … he was under a little bit of pressure, so I can’t really give you a full analysis on what I think of him as a quarterback because he did have to run and scramble and do a lot of things. You guys have to probably take a look at that on your own.”
OK, those seem like pretty tame comments at first glance. But Thibodeaux’s words were more than enough to embolden Giants fans and anger Jets fans, and perhaps, add a little sizzle to Saturday night’s game.
First, let’s point out that Thibodeaux isn’t wrong. The Giants did make life tough on Fields, especially in the second practice on Wednesday, when they had at least four would-be sacks in team drills and kept the Jets’ offense from making any notable big plays.
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Did the Giants’ defense completely dominate the Jets’ offense over the two days? No. But after the two units played to a stalemate on Day 1, the Giants clearly pulled ahead on Day 2. And they did it by putting pressure on the quarterback, so we can’t argue with Thibodeaux there.
So why does this have Jets fans so fired up? Well, you can’t blame Jets fans for being angry about anything after 14 straight years of missing the playoffs. It’s kind of the default position at this point, and will be until that drought ends. But this particular criticism was annoying to Jets fans because of who it came from: Thibodeaux.
It wasn’t as if Thibodeaux was the guy who made life so tough on Fields – that was mostly Brian Burns (who was the best player on the field for either team during the two practices), Dexter Lawrence, and Abdul Carter. In fact, Thibodeaux played many of his reps against the Jets’ backups.
And Thibodeaux hasn’t exactly lived up to the immense hype that came when the Giants picked him No. 5 overall back in 2022, notching 21 sacks in three seasons.
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And then, of course, there’s the fact that the Jets’ decision to pass on Thibodeaux, who was drafted a pick after Gardner back in 2022, is looking like a very strong one at this point. And there’s also a strong argument the Giants erred by taking Thibodeax over Garrett Wilson, the Jets receiver who was picked 10th overall that year and just signed a lucrative extension – a day before Gardner signed his own big money extension last month. There’s no extension in the cards for Thibodeaux at the moment.
And given all of those factors, it’s understandable that Jets fans aren’t interested in hearing that guy talk trash. And aren’t going to stand for it.
But it doesn’t mean Thibodeaux is wrong about the Giants’ defensive line: it’s a group that has the potential to be one of the best in the league, and they showed that potential this week against the Jets.
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Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.