Giants' Tommy DeVito makes vow amid second chance as starting QB

As New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito became an undrafted rookie sensation last season, former New York Jets quarterback and one-time MVP Boomer Esiason repeatedly warned the New Jersey native about avoiding "nonsense off the field." 

Now that DeVito has replaced Daniel Jones as New York's starter for Sunday's home game against the 4-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 26-year-old sounds willing to heed Esiason's advice. 

"Last year was a good story and all, how it happened," DeVito said while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, as shared by Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "All the fun and games outside, it was fun. That was last year. I'm sticking to football now. Not that I wasn't before. The external stuff will be on pause. I already had talks with everybody around me, my inner circle. Want it to stay very tight and make sure that everything is about production on Sunday."

One couldn't blame DeVito for cashing in on his newfound fame by accepting commercial opportunities and making public appearances during a rookie campaign he was supposed to spend as an unused spectator. He was only playing at the time because Jones and then-backup Tyrod Taylor were sidelined with injuries, and at least Jones was always going to be on the New York roster through this season. 

The situation has since changed dramatically. Big Blue will almost certainly part ways with Jones in March 2025 (if not sooner), and rumblings have emerged suggesting that head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen may be losing at least some members of the locker room in part due to the decision to play DeVito over Jones and QB2 Drew Lock.

Thus, it's vital that DeVito makes it clear to his teammates that he's focused on leading a 2-8 team to as many wins as possible through Week 18. 

"...I'm really kind of staying off social media and the outside stuff," DeVito added. "Trying to hone in on football."

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Giants as six-point underdogs against the Buccaneers. Perhaps such a line can serve as bulletin board material for a Giants side that needs a positive spark amid rumors claiming that co-owner John Mara could show both Daboll and Schoen the door if the team finishes the campaign with fewer than five total wins.