Giants' Tommy DeVito reacts to being benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor

After a mostly exciting stretch as the starting quarterback of the New York Giants, rookie Tommy DeVito has come to terms with the harsh reality of the NFL.

On Wednesday, Giants HC Brian Daboll announced that journeyman QB Tyrod Taylor would start Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams (8-7) after DeVito struggled in his last two outings. The decision wasn't unexpected, considering Taylor replaced DeVito for the second half of the 33-25 Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) after the Giants went six straight quarters without a touchdown under the UDFA.

Even so, it's a quick hook for someone who tied the NFL record for most wins by an undrafted rookie quarterback (three) and was the winningest signal-caller on the Giants this season, but that's life as a backup. Nonetheless, DeVito handled the situation like a seasoned veteran when speaking to reporters after the news of his benching broke.

"I'm going to continue to be a good teammate," DeVito said, via SNY. "[It's] obviously a coach's decision. I have no say or anything in that, but I'm going to continue to be a good teammate, go out and compete, and that's it." 

DeVito added that the coaching staff informed him that Taylor would start the remainder of the season and that he'll continue to "stay even-keeled" in the wake of his demotion. 

"The same thing I've said since the beginning, stay even-keeled through it all, never too high, never too low," DeVito said, via SNY. "Because, like I said, when you're up, everybody loves you. When you're down, everybody hates you. So for me, I'll just stay even through it all, and that's why I'll be mellow and good through it all." 

While it's difficult to argue that DeVito gives the Giants a better chance to win than Taylor, it's somewhat surprising to bench the New Jersey native at this point. After all, Taylor is an impending free agent, and New York is already eliminated from playoff contention, but it shows how much the coaching staff really cares about DeVito's development. 

With uncertainty over whether QB Daniel Jones can rebound in the second season of his $160 million contract and the fact that New York could draft a quarterback next April, we might have seen the last of DeVito as a Giant. However, after throwing for 913 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in six games as a starter, DeVito has at least earned consideration as an NFL backup for the foreseeable future, wherever that may be.