The group of fans that clamored for the return of Tommy DeVito as the Giants’ starting quarterback was finally granted its wish on Monday when the team announced the predictable benching of Daniel Jones and a reshuffling of the depth chart.
But the fanfare surrounding DeVito’s midseason promotion isn’t being embraced by his camp. He’s approaching the latest opportunity with an all-business mindset. It’s no longer a feel-good story for a local kid turned folk hero.
“Last year was a good story and all, it’s kind of like how it happened. All the fun and games outside, it was fun… it was last year,” DeVito told reporters during Wednesday’s practice. “I’m kind of over that, I’m sticking to football now. Not that I wasn’t before, but I’m really focused on that.
“The external stuff will be on pause. I already had talks with everybody around me, like my inner circle. It’s going to stay very tight, and make sure that everything’s about production.”
The Giants received some unexpected production from DeVito last winter, as he started six of the team’s final eight games following Jones’ season-ending ACL injury. While his first career start against the rival Dallas Cowboys in mid-November was forgettable, the undrafted rookie rejuvenated a stagnant offense shortly thereafter by rattling off three straight wins under center.
DeVito cemented his phenomenon status at home in primetime, with a thrilling game-winning drive against the Green Bay Packers in December that extended the Giants’ win streak to three games. His best performance came against the Washington Commanders two weeks earlier, as he became just the fourth undrafted rookie since 1960 to throw for three-plus touchdowns, 225-plus yards, and zero interceptions with a 135-plus passer rating.
While it’s unclear whether DeVito will start each of the Giants’ remaining seven games, he doesn’t have time to concern himself with fans’ nicknames and gimmicks. He’s now auditioning for a coveted job that could potentially become his in Week 1 next season.
“It means a lot, just another opportunity to get on the field and showcase my abilities and play for my teammates and the organization,” DeVito said. “I found out [about the change] Monday morning, probably five minutes before you guys did. But it’s been good. Everybody’s been supportive.”
DeVito serves as the low-risk, high-reward replacement for Jones. When asked about the quarterback change, Giants head coach Brian Daboll cited DeVito’s play from last season and a “spark” he’s capable of offering yet another dysfunctional offensive unit. Still, Daboll hasn’t committed to DeVito playing beyond this week.
“We’ve been with Tommy here for a little bit. He’s done a nice job, I would say, throughout practices here,” Daboll said on Monday. “But also, we have something to lean on by going back and watching him operate some of our stuff from last year. This is no indication on Drew [Lock] whatsoever. He’s been excellent for us. It was more about what I felt Tommy gave us.”
The odds of Jones seeing game action again are slim to none. The former first-round draft pick served as the fourth-stringer in Wednesday’s practice, behind new practice squad quarterback Tim Boyle and the journeyman backup Lock.
DeVito takes over a Giants offense that currently ranks dead last in the NFL in points per game (15.6), 26th in passing yards per game (189.8), and 31st in passer rating (78.2).
The Giants, coming off a Week 11 bye with the NFC’s worst record (2-8), will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET kickoff) at MetLife Stadium.
