By Jonah Bryfman
The New York Giant’s 2023-24 season is not looking too great. Several serious injuries have negatively impacted the Giant’s roster, taking out the starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, the backup quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, and recently acquired tight end, Darren Waller. However, there is one piece of good news that Giants fans should not ignore when looking towards the end of the 2023-24 season as well as the beginning of next year. What is that good news? It comes in the form of rookie quarterback, Tommy DeVito.
After Jones tore his ACL during the Giant’s Week 9 game versus the Las Vegas Raiders, Giants fans were in shock. The second Jones went down, fans knew that their possibility for making the playoffs had decreased greatly. Furthermore, backup quarterback Taylor suffered an injury of his own a week earlier, leaving Giants coaches in a frenzy. This is a rare situation that is a nightmare for every offensive coordinator and head coach. With no other options, the Giants staff turned to DeVito.
The New Jersey native started for Syracuse University until transferring to the University of Illinois, where he then graduated after five years. Although he was not drafted in the 2023 draft, he was quickly picked up by New York to join their practice squad. After several injuries, the Giants staff decided to start DeVito. Little did they know, however, that the Italian quarterback would start winning them games.
DeVito made his debut against the Jets during Week 8. The Giants lost the game by a single field goal in three point overtime. Though Giants fans were saddened by the loss, DeVito, who played for very little time, was the change that they seeked. In fact, some might even say that he is a better solution than Daniel Jones, the starting Giants quarterback since superstar Eli Manning’s retirement in 2020.
But one common question asked by non-football fans focuses on DeVito’s image: what exactly is the big deal about Tommy DeVito? Well, simply DeVito being on the field provides joy to Giants fans. He has won three straight games for the Giants and this is exactly what fans want: a new young star that could stay with the franchise for the next several years and continue to win them games. This has not been the team’s best year and just seeing DeVito celebrating after every touchdown is keeping fan spirits high. DeVito is the change Giants fans have been waiting for and seeing him in action brings hope to fans about next year’s season.
“I love what this kid is doing, and it’s a great story, and living at home with his parents, hey man, that is awesome,” said NBA hall-of-famer, Charles Barkley on CNN of DeVito.
As of Week 15 in the NFL, DeVito has over 850 yards. That may not seem like a lot, but that is only in the span of around seven weeks. In comparison, the Eagle’s star quarterback, Jalen Hurts, only has a total of 3,100 yards in all 15 weeks of the season. It is safe to say that in the yard gaining game, DeVito has proven himself greatly. Furthermore, DeVito has thrown only 3 interceptions as of this week in the NFL. Not to mention, his pass completion rate is at an impressive 66% and he has a total of eight touchdowns, which is not at all bad for a rookie.
Because of DeVito’s actions, fans can have hope that next season, the Giants can make something of their new quarterback.
The Beacon Beat 