Former MVP shares advice for Giants' Tommy DeVito after pizzeria kerfuffle

Former New York Jets quarterback and NFL MVP Boomer Esiason believes that New York Giants rookie signal-caller Tommy DeVito shouldn't lose sleep over receiving additional appearance fees amid his rise as a local celebrity. 

"I think Tommy DeVito has played himself into a contract, and he will be on an NFL team whether it’s in New York or not," Esiason explained during Tuesday's edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "I wouldn’t worry about $10,000 appearances and all that other crap. I would just worry about being the best player I could possibly be. Nobody likes a distraction or a story like this. It becomes embarrassing for everybody." 

Esiason was referencing how it was learned this week that Coniglio's Old Fashioned pizzeria in Morristown, New Jersey, canceled a scheduled appearance by DeVito after his agent allegedly doubled the quarterback's fee from $10,000 to $20,000. As shared by sports reporter Darren Rovell and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post (h/t ESPN, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com), DeVito made an unpaid appearance at the pizzeria Tuesday afternoon. 

One can't blame DeVito for attempting to cash in on his recent fame considering NorthJersey.com (h/t NY Post) previously noted that the 25-year-old New Jersey native who still lives with his parents earns roughly $44,000 per week for every game he's on New York's active roster, a relatively small sum for an NFL starter. However, DeVito likely already has shown he deserves to compete for at least a backup job with the Giants or a different club next summer. 

DeVito has thus far gone 3-2 as Big Blue's QB1 and has completed 64.4% of 160 total pass attempts for 1,032 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He's also rushed for 190 yards and a score on 35 carries over seven games. 

Head coach Brian Daboll is keeping DeVito atop the depth chart when the 5-9 Giants play at the 10-4 Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Day.