Coach Brian Daboll has confirmed that Tommy DeVito will continue as the starting quarterback for the Giants in their upcoming Monday night matchup against the Packers at MetLife Stadium. Despite veteran Tyrod Taylor being ready to return from a rib cage injury, the Giants (4-8) have opted to stick with DeVito, who has secured two wins in his last three starts.
Daboll explained his decision, stating, “I just thought Tommy earned it. I went back, watched all the tape, and thought he played two good games. Obviously, there are things we can all work on. Though he earned the right to play.” Taylor, who practiced and had his 21-day activation window opened, will serve as DeVito’s backup, provided he remains healthy and receives clearance from doctors.
While Taylor expressed disappointment at not starting, he acknowledged the nature of such decisions in professional sports, having experienced similar situations throughout his career. The initial expectation was that Taylor would step in as the starter following Daniel Jones’s injury, but DeVito’s recent performance has persuaded the team to continue with him.
DeVito, an undrafted rookie, has thrown six touchdown passes and one interception in his recent starts, contributing to the Giants’ two-game win streak. Daboll emphasized that every decision is made with the goal of winning, and DeVito’s development aligns with the team’s priorities.
The move to keep DeVito as the starting quarterback is likely to resonate with hometown fans, given his local ties and previous achievements in New Jersey. DeVito’s popularity has grown, evidenced by the “Tommy Cutlets” craze among fans and the adoption of Italian hand gestures by him and his teammates.
Daboll praised DeVito’s improvement in each game and commended his decision-making and accuracy. DeVito, while pleased with the decision, remains focused on continuous improvement and earning the respect of his teammates and coaches.
The decision means that Taylor, who suffered four broken ribs in his previous start, will continue to serve as the backup. Despite Taylor’s readiness to return and positive rehab progress, the coaching staff believes that sticking with DeVito is the right decision for the team at the moment.
Taylor, no stranger to setbacks in his career due to injuries, accepted the situation, stating, “It’s the nature of the business. This league is a right-now league. It’s not a ‘what have you done in the past.’ It’s what makes sense right now, and Coach feels this is the right decision for the team. I support the decisions that our coaches make and that our personnel people make. … I’m just on the other end of it. It’s tough.”
