The Tennessee Titans' brass was emphatic that 2025 was going to be a rebuilding year for the franchise, but fans weren't prepared for...whatever this has been.
Unlike some fan bases who are counting the days until they have primetime matchups or keeping an eye on the playoffs, Titans fans are stuck counting the days until Brian Callahan is fired and keeping an eye on which players they might trade.
With no news on the Callahan front, fans should cast their eyes toward trade speculation around the NFL and see which teams the Titans might be on the phone with. A great place to start that speculation is Bleacher Report's trade big board. They rank the 10 players who are most likely to be traded this season.
Titans should consider executing a stunner before the NFL trade deadline
While browsing the rumors and speculation, it was interesting to see New York Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux listed as the No. 3 trade candidate. What is even more interesting is what they believe the asking price would be for Thibodeaux and why they think the Giants would be motivated to move on from him.
"The Giants' first win of the season lessens the likelihood of them going into tank mode before the trade deadline. However, they could still be interested in moving pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux for the right price—possibly a starting-caliber receiver who can help replace Nabers...
...Now would be the perfect time to try getting a return for Thibodeaux, who has 2.5 sacks through four games. He is set to play on the fifth-year option in 2026, and the Giants could use another pass-catcher to help support Dart."
That is very interesting because Titans fans have been rumbling about Calvin Ridley as a potential trade candidate. While Ridley seems to have gotten over his yips from earlier in the year, this team has put a massive emphasis on giving young players chances whenever possible. Remember that this front office is thinking about 2026 and beyond; they don't seem to care too much about winning in the short-term.
Maybe there is a pick swap in there somewhere to make one side feel more comfortable, but if the Giants are planning on moving on from Thibodeaux at some point in the future anyway, then a Ridley-for-Thibodeaux swap could make sense.
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley would be a pefect fit for the Giants
With young receivers like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike pushing for more targets, it is easy to see why the Titans might look at this situation as killing two birds with one stone. On one hand, you get to see what you have in your young receivers, and on the other, you add a 24-year-old EDGE with 18 months left on his rookie contract.
Thibodeaux would instantly be the team's best EDGE, and the chasm between him and the rest of the pack would only widen in 2026 when starters Arden Key and Dre'Mont Jones leave in free agency. Even if the team decided to let Thibodeaux leave in two years, it would give them time to focus on adding the best players available in free agency and the draft next year instead of being forced to spend premium assets on multiple EDGEs.
Trades in the NFL are very uncommon (though they are becoming increasingly common each year), and player-for-player trades are the rarest trades, so this would be a long shot. However, it makes sense for both parties, considering how desperate the Giants are for receiver help, and how badly the Giants coaching staff needs a good season from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to save their jobs.
Speaking of that coaching staff, Giants head coach Brian Daboll and QB coach/passing game coordinator Shea Tierney were together with Ridley at Alabama. The Crimson Tide won the National Championship, and Ridley played well enough to be a first-round pick. That familiarity could help.
The connections are there. The timelines seem to make sense for everyone, and the motivation to move both players should also be present. The only question is whether this idea that is perfect on paper has a chance at becoming reality.