FOXBORO — Tommy DeVito played deep into the Giants’ final preseason game last week, as sure a sign as any that the young quarterback wouldn’t be sticking around after cutdown day.
But DeVito had a feeling where he was headed next. Turns out, he was right.
The Patriots claimed the 27-year-old off waivers Wednesday, and a day later DeVito participated in his first practice with the team. DeVito is the Patriots’ new No. 3 quarterback behind Drake Maye and veteran backup Joshua Dobbs. In his final preseason appearance, DeVito carved up the Pats’ defensive reserves going 17-of-20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
That performance made a good impression on the team’s front office, which includes ex-Giants executive Ryan Cowden, who crossed paths with DeVito the past two seasons.
“Every time you go on the field, you perform for 31 other (teams), especially when you have some feelings about something. So that last (game) was, ‘Listen, everything is an audition, but this one is a personal audition. So, I want to make it count,’” DeVito said Thursday in front of his new locker. “We did, and here we are.”
DeVito first stepped into the NFL spotlight as a spot starter in 2023, when he went 3-3 and threw for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also became known for his signature touchdown celebration, which doubled as a nod to his Italian heritage. That season, DeVito even beat the Patriots, 10-7, in a late November game at MetLife Stadium.
Last year, he appeared started just two of three game appearances, completing 70.5% of his passes for 257 yards, zero touchdowns and no picks. DeVito lost his roster spot this summer after the Giants signed veteran free agents Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and drafted Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round.
Originally an undrafted college free agent who played at Syracuse and Illinois, DeVito played his best football under current Giants head coach and ex-Patriots assistant Brian Daboll. To this day, Daboll runs an offense similar to what the Patriots will execute under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. DeVito believes that experience — plus what he learned from other former Patriots coaches in New York — will ease his transition to New England.
“I was very excited to get here,” DeVito said. “I’ve had a lot of prior coaches who have been part of this organization before, know a lot of coaches and people in the business, so I had a lot of good insight.”
He continued: “Obviously, (I) know the history of the Giants and the Patriots; just those two organizations as a whole are superior to the rest, if you will. So, the Patriots, shoot — Super Bowls, Tom Brady. For me, I want to be able to experience it, embrace it, and really live it and be here.”
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