How Giants’ Tommy DeVito improved while awaiting next chance

It seems to be only a matter of time before the 2-7 New York Giants will sit starting quarterback Daniel Jones so that he stays healthy enough to be released this coming offseason without having the injury guarantee for 2025 attached to his contract triggered. 

Many fans want the Giants to give popular second-year pro Tommy DeVito the opportunity to finish the season atop the depth chart over primary backup Drew Lock. DeVito recently spoke with Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post about what he worked on after he produced some impressive performances as an undrafted rookie. 

"My biggest thing from the offseason was, 'Get the ball out of your hands and find something to do with it — throw a check down, throw it away.' Keep the offense in good situations," DeVito explained. "That’s something I want to continue to build while keeping that gunslinger personality." 

With both Jones and then-Giants backup Tyrod Taylor sidelined because of injuries last fall, DeVito won three of his first four career starts but then suffered back-to-back losses that resulted in head coach Brian Daboll going back to Taylor. In total, DeVito completed 114-of-178 pass attempts (64 percent) for 1,101 yards with eight touchdowns, three interceptions and a whopping 37 sacks taken. He also rushed for 195 yards and a score on 36 carries. 

While the Giants have little chance of making the playoffs regardless of who starts at quarterback, The Athletic's Dan Duggan noted on Wednesday that Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen likely don't want to move Jones to the bench just yet out of fears that team co-owner John Mara could blow things up this offseason if Big Blue continues to lose. DeVito suggested he'll be ready to show how he's grown whenever he gets his next opportunity to face a live defense in a meaningful game. 

"I think in the NFL you have to play in the gray, especially at the quarterback position. Not everything is going to be clean," DeVito told Dunleavy. "You have to be able to operate when things are bad. That gives me that 'F it' playing style from time to time. Whether it be here or another team, whenever it is in the future, I think you still need to have that chip and that edge about you — but continue to learn more between the ears and make good decisions." 

Jones is on track to start when the Giants face the 2-7 Carolina Panthers in Germany this coming Sunday. Depending on the outcome of that game, DeVito could take over as New York's QB1 during the club's Week 11 bye.