The New York Jets offensive line knew they had their hands full this week when they began joint practices with the cross-town rival New York Giants.

Despite a dismal season in 2024, the G-Men have built one of the most destructive defensive lines in the game. Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and third-overall pick Abdul Carter made life difficult for the Jets in their two practices this week.

Gang Green may have struggled, but they still have one of the brightest young offensive lines in the game.

That hasn’t stopped one Giant from going out of his way to talk smack, though.

Thibodeaux’s odd Jets dig

Speaking to reporters after practice on Wednesday, former fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux went out of his way to take a dig at the Jets’ offensive line.

Asked about his evaluation of quarterback Justin Fields, Thibodeaux went in a different direction.

“You know it’s tough for quarterbacks right now, especially in practice,” Thibodeaux said. “Like, he [Fields] was under a 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. So yeah, you guys have to probably take a look at that on your own.”

It’s true that the Giants’ defensive line won the day, particularly in Wednesday’s practice. But Thibodeaux speaking out, of all players in the group, is quite hilarious for a number of reasons.

First, the 2022 first-round pick has struggled to produce at a high level consistency. He has recorded 21 sacks in three seasons. While the seven-sack average is nothing to be concerned over, the production he has put forth has been nowhere near as expected for a top-five pick.

Despite his lack of Pro Bowl production, Thibodeaux has certainly talked like a Pro Bowl player.

During joint practice against the Jets, though, the Oregon product was easily the quietest player on the Giants sideline. Lawrence, Burns, and Carter all consistently made plays against the Jets offensive line.

The one who was consistently stonewalled (at a much greater rate than all the others)? Thibodeaux.

The four-year pro can talk all he wants about what he expects from the entire Giants defensive unit in 2025. The fact of the matter is, though, he has the most to prove of anyone in the group.

As much as he wants to clown the Jets at this point in camp, Thibodeaux has bigger things to worry about. The Jets’ offensive line will be just fine regardless.