NY Giants training camp 2025 practice highlights from the sidelines
See and hear New York Giants players in highlights during training camp practices from the sideline in East Rutherford.
EAST RUTHERFORD − Tommy DeVito has never been a better quarterback in his life, playing the position at a higher level than anyone would have thought as he bounced from Syracuse to Illinois in college, fighting through injuries and hoping to catch on somewhere as an undrafted player two years ago.
Beyond the memes and the hand gestures and the agent who looks like he stepped out of a “Sopranos” meets the NFL sequel, DeVito was valued by the New York Giants far more than the caricature he was made out to be when the fan base’s frustration of losing out on a higher draft pick in last year’s draft was directed at the kid born and raised in New Jersey who did the unthinkable and won some games.
Fast forward to Thursday night, and as DeVito was carving up the New England Patriots in the second half of the Giants’ eventual 42-10 victory in their preseason finale, reality began to set in for all those involved in what – like it or not – surprisingly emerged as one of the best stories this team has had in a decade.
You read that right. This is a franchise whose younger fans were desperate to root for someone who represented something other than wins and losses, because let’s be honest – the wins have been few and far between and the losses have been plentiful.
“I think about that in the sense of every time you go on the field you never know what’s going to be your last,” DeVito said after he completed 17-of-20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. “Having the rollercoaster I’ve had in the past with injuries and playing performance, whatever it is, every time I go out, I try to put my all because never know when it is going to be your last.”
DeVito has wanted to prove more than anything that he is more than a football gimmick who makes a few bucks by being famous off the field.
At 27, DeVito embraced the fame for what it is. He has packed sandwich shops in North Jersey for autograph signings and accepted more sponsorship opportunities than anyone would have anticipated for a relatively unknown player outside of his hometown of Cedar Grove and in the high school football communities that were dominated for years by his Don Bosco team and its rivalries with Bergen Catholic, St. Joseph-Montvale, St. Peter’s Prep and Paramus Catholic.
With all the focus on “finger purse” gestures, signings and trademark filings during his remarkable six-game rise as a rookie two seasons ago, what was lost is just how far he came as a QB with the Giants, and in such a short time.
Through hard work, persistence and a skill set that was still growing, DeVito has had to fight for everything he gets with the Giants since he walked into the building with a guaranteed salary of $10,000 and a long-shot dream as an undrafted player to make the team.
In some of the lowest times for the organization, DeVito represented what was actually still worth celebrating about the Giants. The writing has been on the wall for months that, unless something unexpected struck the quarterback room, this was going to be a slow march to the end of DeVito’s days with Big Blue.
The Giants would love to keep him. DeVito would love to stay.
But the circumstances are what they are, and with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston here as veterans and rookie Jaxson Dart as the franchise’s future at the position, DeVito is staring into the uncertainty that comes with the NFL this time of year.
Tommy DeVito: What could be next for Giants QB?
As the league-mandated cut down of rosters to 53 players looms Tuesday, this is headed down a road that seemingly will end in this reality:
DeVito will be a former Giant this time next week, barring something completely unexpected. This is a look at the scenarios that may unfold between now and then.
Tommy DeVito: Waiver wire is a possibility
The Giants’ grand plan in rebuilding their QB room this year after using four different ones in last season’s three-win campaign has actually worked. Wilson, Winston, Dart and DeVito have blended charisma with performance this summer, working well together and giving the Giants their best play at the position in years.
What that does is put DeVito in a tough spot: the Giants can’t keep all four on the active roster, and if he’s waived, he would be available on the wire for the rest of the league. Is there one of the 31 other teams that like DeVito enough to use one of their 53 active spots – equal to a minimum of three weeks’ pay for being on the roster? That’s debatable. Remember this: DeVito has been in one system in the NFL, and that’s this one.
Tommy DeVito: Giants practice squad more likely
If DeVito clears waivers by 12 p.m. Wednesday, he would be free to sign anywhere – including a return to the Giants – and the practice squad would seem to be the most logical spot.
Don’t mistake that for a lack of interest, however. There will likely be suitors looking to bring DeVito in to develop his skill set. Quarterback depth is at a premium and DeVito has won games in the league.
Could the Giants bring DeVito back on the practice squad? They certainly could. But the truth is, we’re not sure if they would use one of their 16 spots on a fourth quarterback.
It’s also worth noting that DeVito may want to go elsewhere with a chance to earn his way back with a clearer path to the active roster.
Here’s the catch: DeVito has built a fan base as a Giant. It’s hard imagining what is endearing about his personality and who he is being a homegrown kid will play the same anywhere else.
Is it worth staying here as QB4 if the offer is made in order to continue to take advantage of his profile off the field?
Tommy DeVito: Could Giants get an asset in a trade?
This seems to be the least likeliest of scenarios, but all it would take is one team to deal. Why would a team give up a draft pick or another player if the expectation is that DeVito will ultimately be waived? That’s for the Giants to negotiate.
Regardless of how this plays out, if this was his last game as a Giant, DeVito left with a performance that certainly resonated with perspective for how far he has come.