Kayvon Thibodeaux posted a career season with 11.5 sacks during the 2023 season. The New York Giants linebacker’s big year quieted some of the critics after he registered four sacks during his rookie season in 2022.

Thibodeaux’s sacks ranked tied for 12th in the league last season. While his sack total was impressive, Thibodeaux said his numbers didn’t impress Lawrence Taylor during a conversation with the Giants’ legend during the team’s “Night with Legends” event last week.

“I mean, L.T. back there, man. Just him, Michael Strahan, Carl Banks, Osi Umenyiora,” Thibodeaux said, according to Bridget Hyland of NJ.com. “When you’ve got a guy like L.T., right, we just kind of exchanged in the back and he’s like, ‘Man, how many sacks did you have last year?’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, I had 11.5. Pretty good.’ He’s like, ‘What’d you play? Three games?’”

Taylor posted at least 10 sacks in seven consecutive seasons during his 13-year career.

The former Oregon Ducks’ star said his next goal is to break the NFL single-season record of 22.5, set by the Strahan in 2001 and equaled by Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt in 2021.

Thibodeaux saw plenty of double-teams last season, but he could face more one-on-one opportunities after the Giants acquired defensive end Brian Burns after a trade with the Carolina Panthers. The two-time Pro Bowl selection posted eight sacks in 2023 and a total of 46 in his first five seasons with the Panthers. The addition of Burns on the opposite edge and offenses throwing the football more often has Thibodeaux thinking he can approach Strahan’s record.

Thibodeaux said he wants to have his name mentioned among the Giants’ all-time great pass rushers when his career comes to an end.

“When you’ve got those shoes to fill, you have no choice but to be great,” Thibodeaux said. “I’ve got the greatest guys to look up to. Now I just continue to set goals and accomplish them.”