Tommy DeVito’s second Giants chance is off to a brutal start, and Baker Mayfield is rubbing it in.
After the Buccaneers quarterback scored a rushing touchdown to put them up 23-0 before halftime, he celebrated by doing DeVito’s signature hand gesture with both hands, taunting a MetLife Stadium crowd that has yet to witness a Giants home victory this season.
The Giants went back to DeVito for his first start of the season after they decided to bench Daniel Jones following a 2-8 start, ultimately releasing him on Friday.
Jones is set to clear waivers on Monday and can then sign with a new team.
DeVito, the 26-year-old New Jersey native, became a fan favorite last season when he filled in for an injured Jones, helping the team win a few games.
But in Sunday’s first half, DeVito was just 3-for-5 with 31 yards as the Giants were embarrassed once again on their home field.
He was 3-3 in six starts last year, finishing the season with 1,101 yards passing with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jones, 27, was in his sixth season with Big Blue after being drafted No. 6 overall in 2019.
He helped lead them to the playoffs in Brian Daboll’s first season as the team’s head coach in 2022, after which the Giants gave him a four-year, $160 million contract.
But Jones struggled in his injury-shortened six-game season in 2023 and in 10 games this year had 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Giants announced on Monday Jones was getting benched in favor of DeVito, with backup Drew Lock remaining as the No. 2.
The team also signed Tim Boyle with the Giants seemingly committing to keeping Jones off the field to avoid a potential $23 million injury guarantee.
Jones then requested his release, which was granted Friday.