Giants' Tommy DeVito Says He's Learned He Belongs in NFL Despite Benching

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito isn't totally discouraged after getting benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor.

The undrafted rookie was asked Wednesday what he has learned amid his up-and-down journey.

"That I belong. In the NFL, specifically," he told reporters. "I mean, just to go out and to prove that to myself. To the younger me, to the me that was training to be here to this point. That's all it is."

DeVito added he's taking nothing for granted.

"I don't know what the future holds, let alone tomorrow," he said. "I'm just going to continue to be here, be in the moment. Just try to give my all and be my best every day."

Midnight may have struck on the Tommy Cutlets era.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll pulled DeVito midway through a 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after he started 9-of-16 for 55 yards. Before that, DeVito had failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in any of his previous three starts, with back-to-back wins in Week 12 and 14 helping to overshadow his lackluster production.

DeVito's comments hit on a truth that often gets forgotten. Carving out a career in the NFL, even as a backup, is a major accomplishment and the achievement of a dream. Many players aren't even afforded the kind of run the 25-year-old has enjoyed.

That's to say nothing of how DeVito's six starts could go some way toward extending his stay with the Giants beyond 2024 or perhaps earning a shot elsewhere down the road.

The time in the spotlight was similarly fleeting for Gardner Minshew II. Still, he continues to hang around the NFL and put himself in a position in Year 5 to replace Anthony Richardson after the Indianapolis Colts rookie was lost for the season. That's not bad for a sixth-round pick.

For DeVito, whatever comes next is basically an added bonus after he has already reached heights few expected for him.