Giants release Tommy DeVito as team trims roster to 53 players

Tommy DeVito’s rise from undrafted rookie to the Giants starting quarterback in 2023 made him a beloved figure. To fans, he became “Tommy Cutlets” leading the Giants to a three-game win streak.

For DeVito, a New Jersey native, it was a dream playing for his hometown team. The dream ended Tuesday when the Giants waived him ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline to cut rosters to 53 players.

Our initial 53-man roster ⤵️

Details: https://t.co/Jw9lUvndJn pic.twitter.com/zGFxPjbGyu

— New York Giants (@Giants) August 26, 2025

DeVito was fourth in the Giants’ quarterback rotation behind Russell Wilson, rookie Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston. The team was unlikely to keep that many which meant DeVito’s days were numbered after Dart was drafted.

“Tommy’s done everything we’ve asked him to do since he’s been here,” coach Brian Daboll said.

DeVito didn’t win another game in four starts over two seasons. He played in 12 games, with eight starts, and finished with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Still, the Giants gave him one last moment of glory. DeVito played the second half of the team’s final preseason game against the Patriots at MetLife Stadium and threw touchdowns on his first three drives.

He also received an ovation when he took the field, a final acknowledgement from the fans appreciating his journey.

“Means a lot,” DeVito said last week. “If I was in the stands I would be cheering for anybody who was the hometown kid, too. It was appreciated.”

DeVito took over in Week 9 of 2023 after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Raiders. He lost his first start the next week against the Cowboys.

After that came three consecutive wins and the birth of “Tommy Cutlets,” a nod to his Italian heritage and making hand gestures after touchdowns. He became the first Giants rookie quarterback to win three consecutive starts since Phil Simms won four in 1979 and the first undrafted rookie quarterback to win three starts since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

In those games, DeVito threw for a combined 595 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions while completing 72.2% of his passes. His fame extended to his agent Sean Stellato becoming a minor celebrity with his stylish fedoras.

“I feel like I’ve been like in a cameo of 'The Sopranos’ or something like that,” receiver Darius Slayton said. “It’s been awesome to have him around, be able to see a local Jersey kid and the community rally around him and him being able to have the success that he’s had here,”

DeVito could find his way onto the practice squad or continue his career elsewhere. He also became close to Dart, who said DeVito was one of his closest friends on the team and served as an additional mentor in the quarterback room.
Whatever happens next, Giants fans won’t forget the lift DeVito gave when he lived out his childhood dream and became a hometown hero in a three-game span.

Roster moves

The rest of the Giants’ cuts are as follows: WR Dalen Cambre, RB Dante Miller, OL Jake Kubas, S Raheem Layne, S Makari Paige, RB Jonathan Ward, TE Jermaine Terry, DL Elijah Chatman, OL Cory Durden, DB Tre Hawkins III, TE Greg Dulcich, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, LB Trace Ford, DL Elijah Garcia, OL Bryan Hudson, WR Da’Quan Felton, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, LB Tomon Fox, K Jude McAtamney, DL Jordon Riley, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter and OL Stone Forsythe.

Hawkins was the Giants’ sixth-round pick in 2023. Chatman was a mild surprise after taking first and second team reps in training camp and finding a role at fullback.

Smith-Marsette was the Giants’ kickoff returner last season but being waived opened the door for Gunner Olszewski, who was signed during training camp. Olszewski suffered a season-ending injury last season after earning the kick returner job but impressed during training camp and preseason.

Receiver Beaux Collins was the only undrafted player to make the team. Defensive backs Nic Jones and Art Green, along with defensive tackle D.J. Davidson, were among the players on the bubble who made the roster.

Rookie tight end and seventh-round pick Thomas Fidone II also made the roster. Offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu was placed on injured reserve while linebacker Victor Dimukeje and running back Eric Gray were moved to the reserve/physically unable to perform list.