The trash talk has begun, and New York Giants training camp is almost upon us, as offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux got into it on social media on July 21.
Granted, the early sparring match appeared to be nothing more than a playful back-and-forth to get the juices flowing, but it still caught the attention of fans and signaled to everyone that football is in the air.
It all started after Thibodeaux posted a training video working with a wrestling coach.
“No excuses. No hiding. Just work. Wrestling through the noise,” the former first-round pass rusher captioned the post along with a ninja emoji. That’s where Eluemunor came in to jokingly knock his camp competition down a peg.
“Slow Azz single leg, I’m ankle picking this man and pinning him in the first period,” the Giants’ starting right tackle commented on X. And so, the war of words began.
“Shut up fat boy,” Thibodeaux replied. To which Eluemunor responded: “I’ll see you soon.”
The final clap back was from Thibodeaux. It read: “Better ask what happen to the last security guard.”
Again, this social media “fight” probably shouldn’t be taken too seriously, as Thibodeaux and Eluemunor are two players known for trash-talking their rivals publicly. In this case, this is most likely nothing more than two teammates ribbing each other ahead of a fun and competitive summer.
As they always say in the football world, “iron sharpens iron,” and Thibodeaux and Eluemunor should be going up against one another quite often once the pads go on.
Giants Team Reporter Looking Forward to OL-DL Battle at Training Camp
On July 21, the Giants.com crew broke down what they’ll be looking forward to most once training camp gets going this week, and NYG team reporter Matt Citak chose the battle in the trenches.
“It will be a couple of days after the start of training camp before we get the first full padded practice. But once that time comes, buckle up,” he began.
Continuing: “The offensive and defensive linemen have been champing at the bit for contact at practice, as it represents the start of the real reps between the guys up front. This season especially, those matchups between the linemen have extra appeal.”
“The Giants, on paper, could have one of the top defensive fronts in the NFL with Dexter Lawrence in the middle, surrounded by Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter,” Citak explained. “Speaking of Carter, we have yet to see the No. 3 overall pick fully unleashed at practice. We saw glimpses of Carter’s athleticism in the spring, when the rookie linebacker would be in the backfield in the blink of an eye. But again, there was no contact then. Carter’s ability to bend the edge could prove to be a lethal move, and one that wreaks havoc on opposing offenses all season. But it will mean more seeing him get to the quarterback once contact is permitted.”
As for the offensive line, Citak noted that “what better way [is there] for the Giants’ offensive line to get prepared for the season than going up against a potentially elite front at practice each day?”
It sounds like Eluemunor and company are expected to have their work cut out for them at camp.
Giants RT Jermaine Eluemunor Is Playing for New Contract in 2025, Similar to Kayvon Thibodeaux
Eluemunor and Thibodeaux both have a lot to prove in 2025. Thibodeaux is heading into his fifth-year option season in 2026, but his future beyond that is clouded by extreme uncertainty after the Giants’ moves for Burns and Carter.
It feels highly unlikely that they’ll be able to commit to another edge rusher financially long-term, meaning Thibodeaux could be showcasing himself for a trade.
Similarly, Eluemunor is showcasing himself, too, but for 2026 free agency and a new contract instead of a potential trade.
Eluemunor has been solid so far, and his versatility could be helpful in the future, so it’s possible the Giants offer him an extension before he hits the open market next March. But there’s also a chance he prices himself out of town as Big Blue might look to draft his replacement.
As always, that will all depend on Eluemunor’s contract demands and the current general manager’s preference. Remember, there is no guarantee that Joe Schoen is still calling the shots in six months, and a new GM could prefer to go a different direction on the offensive line.
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