The NFL’s 2023 season has seen a string of injuries among starting quarterbacks, including Aaron Rodgers, a major offseason acquisition for the New York Jets.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants have seen an undrafted rookie quarterback rise to prominence due to an injury, and his reputation is rapidly growing.
What Happened: The Giants upset the Green Bay Packers 24-22 Monday during a Monday Night Football game that aired on ESPN, a unit of The Walt Disney Company DIS.
In the contest, sportsbooks like DraftKings Inc DKNG had the Giants listed as six point underdogs and a +220 line for the team winning outright.
With the win, the Giants record improved to 5-8. While the record ranks third in the NFC East and could see the Giants failing to make the NFL Playoffs after a postseason berth and 9-7-1 record last season, it comes with a third string quarterback.
Starting Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was hurt in November and will be out eight to 10 months after having surgery on his right knee. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor also found himself injured and missing games.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito took over as the starting quarterback and has excelled in the role, winning over fans.
DeVito has posted a statline of a 65.9% completion percentage, 855 passing yards and eight touchdowns in six games played. The undrafted rookie has a 3-1 record for the Giants in games he started, while Jones and Taylor have both posted losing records of 1-5 and 1-2 respectively.
Low Salary, Living At Home: Jones signed a massive four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants, making him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league and securing his future as the team's starting quarterback.
The injury may have changed things, along with his 1-5 record.
DeVito's salary pales in comparison to Jones, as he is on a three-year deal worth $2.7 million, according to Sporting News. DeVito received a $10,000 signing bonus and a $10,000 guaranteed base salary. The rest of DeVito's contract is not guaranteed, which would see him lose out on the millions if he is cut.
DeVito earns $44,000 per week for every game the Giants have him on the active roster. In the 2024 season, DeVito will have a base salary of $915,000 if he is on the Giants active roster.
While many NFL stars live in mansions thanks to their massive contracts, ESPN shared that DeVito lives at home with his parents. He resides in his childhood home in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, which is around 12 minutes away from the team's practice facility. DeVito began the 2023 NFL season on the practice roster for the Giants before the injuries took place.
"It was a no-brainer for me," DeVito told ESPN about living with his parents. "Everything that I need is there at the house. The decision was made since this level of football is stressful for a rookie, especially from the quarterback position."
DeVito joked that he doesn't have to worry about laundry or dinner since he lives at home.
"My mom still makes my bed. Everything is handled for me."
DeVito's teammates who were asked by ESPN had no idea of DeVito's living situation before he made his first start with the team, but praised the potential cost saving move.
NFL fans may recall that San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who is in the running for the NFL MVP Award, saves money by living with one of his teammates and splitting rent.
What's Next: Nicknamed Tommy Cutlets, DeVito is winning over New York fans thanks to his play on the field, the Cinderella story and his Italian heritage. Fans are making references to The Sopranos, My Cousin Vinny and Goodfellas thanks to the appearances of DeVito's family at tailgates and in the stands at the game.
The future of DeVito with the Giants now becomes a big question given Jones' huge contract and his recent injury. Taylor will be a free agent at the end of the season. The Giants have also mentioned adding another quarterback via free agency or in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With their 5-8 record the Giants face lower odds of making the NFL Playoffs than many teams in the NFC, but they are not out yet.
Current betting odds list the Giants at +50,000 to win Super Bowl LVIII. DeVito has odds of +25,000 to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
While both of those could be tall tasks, the Giants will likely take the rest of the 2023 schedule one game at a time.
On Sunday, the Giants take on the New Orleans Saints and are 4.5 point underdogs. A bet on the Giants and Tommy Cutlets to win pays out +185.
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