Stay or Go: Should Giants bring Tommy DeVito back for the 2025 season?

In just two seasons with the Giants, Tommy DeVito has become a bit of a cultural phenomenon. Born and raised in New Jersey, DeVito attended Don Bosco Prep and then Syracuse before finishing his collegiate career at Illinois.

Affectionately known among the fan base as Tommy Cutlets, DeVito has, at times, provided a spark for the Giants offense.

Despite joining the team as an undrafted free agent, DeVito has quickly become a fan favorite, appearing in 12 games with eight starts over the last two seasons while throwing for 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

But DeVito is now an exclusive rights free agent, meaning the Giants have the option to offer him a one-year, league-minimum contract. nd if they do, DeVito can not negotiate with other teams. Simply put, if the Giants want DeVito back, they can get him back on a very inexpensive deal.

The question is: Should the Giants want him back, or is a complete revamp of the quarterback room in order?

Let’s dig in…

WHY DEVITO SHOULD STAY

Heading into next season, the Giants quarterback room is a huge question mark. Daniel Jones’ tenure with New York came to a close earlier this season when he was released, and backup Drew Lock is a free agent who seems very likely to head to a different club come the new league year.

That leaves DeVito as the only potential returning quarterback.

The Giants could obviously go a number of different ways in the draft or through free agency or trades to find their next starting quarterback. Maybe it’s Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, or maybe it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. But whoever it is, the next Giants’ starting quarterback is going to need to learn Brian Daboll’s system. DeVito has been in that system for two years and can help any other quarterbacks coming into the room.

The other thing to keep in mind with DeVito is that when he’s been called upon, he’s actually played pretty well, compiling a passer rating of 88.4 to go with his 11-to-4 TD/INT ratio.

DeVito is not going to be the Giants’ starting quarterback next season, but in terms of being a third-stringer or a potential backup, the Giants could probably do a lot worse than the former UDFA, who is 3-5 as a starter. That may not sound all that great, but consider that the Giants have won a total of nine games in the last two seasons, and DeVito has been on the field for one-third of them.

WHY DEVITO SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT BACK

The Giants have a chance to have a completely clean slate in their quarterback room heading into what’s really a must-win season for Daboll and GM Joe Schoen . And based off the results of the past few seasons, an entire new group could be best.

Durability is also another big question for DeVito, who at times has taken a beating when he’s been on the field.

In his first start of 2024, DeVito has hit hard by the Buccaneers, resulting in a forearm injury that knocked him out of action for a few weeks, giving way for Lock to step in and play.

DeVito is always going to be a fan favorite and he’s almost achieved a sort of cult following among Giants fans as the undersized hometown kid. But for that exact reason, he could be viewed as a bit of a distraction, as fans could quickly turn against whoever the starting quarterback is in hopes of seeing DeVito take the field.

VERDICT

At the end of the day, bringing DeVito back on a minimum contract feels like the right move. Having him back would cost the Giants next to nothing, and it would keep a somewhat experienced voice in their quarterback room -- and someone who could help teach the system to the new starter.

Perhaps DeVito believes he could have a better chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere, but if the Giants tender him a contract, there’s nothing he can do, outside of trying to force a trade.

So, with all of this in mind, it’s likely that DeVito is back in 2025, but he’ll still likely be buried on the depth chart behind whatever quarterbacks the Giants bring in.