New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito. Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Are Giants starting QB Tommy DeVito for financial reasons?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 6:17 PM ET

The New York Giants are seemingly letting their finances sway their football decisions.

Earlier this week, the Giants benched starting quarterback Daniel Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito. The move baffled Drew Lock, who has been listed as the No. 2 QB all season.

"That's a question I might still have for myself. It was expressed to me that I was going to be the No. 2. Interesting situation," Lock told the media Wednesday. "Not much I can really say about it besides, again, I'm going to be here for him, and we're still communicating. We're still really good friends, believe it or not. This team needs to get a win. You start winning, everything gets a little better around here."

Drew Lock is asked about not being named the starting quarterback after Daniel Jones was benched when he was told he'd be the backup:

"That's a question that I might still have for myself. It was expressed to me that I was going to be QB2. Interesting situation.." pic.twitter.com/gFpj8SA0oc
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 20, 2024

Lock's contract (a one-year, $5M deal) includes incentives the Giants may want to avoid paying. According to Spotrac co-founder Michael Ginnitti, the 28-year-old is owed $250,000 each if he plays 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent+ of New York's snaps.

Part of the reason Drew Lock isn't the #Giants QB for the next 7 weeks... pic.twitter.com/qmZaYcsNLE
— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 18, 2024

During his rookie season in 2023, DeVito looked serviceable when he filled in for an injured Jones. In six starts (nine total games played), the former undrafted free agent went 3-3, completing 64 percent of his passes for 1,101 yards, eight TDs, three picks and a slightly below-average 89.2 passer rating.

On Monday, Giants head coach Brian Daboll said DeVito's familiarity with his offense is one reason he chose him over Lock.

"We've been here with Tommy for a little bit," Daboll said, per NJ.com's Darryl Slater. "But also we have something to lean on, by going back and watching him operate in some of our stuff from last year [in games]."

Lock, meanwhile, has a 9-14 record as a starter and has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 28 TDs and 23 interceptions in five seasons with the Broncos, Seahawks and Giants.

Pair Lock's shaky play with the contract incentives, and New York's choice makes more sense.

Still, don't expect DeVito to improve the Giants' prospects. New York is 2-8 and has the best chance (19.2 percent) to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, per ESPN's Football Power Index.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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