The Giants’ future at quarterback is uncertain, but Malik Nabers’ wishes are crystal clear.
On the same day that a benched Daniel Jones essentially said goodbye to the Giants after a six-year run as the starter, Nabers was asked what he hopes the next franchise quarterback brings to the table.
“I just want the ball. As long as you can give me the ball, then we good,” said the rookie wide receiver, who is under team control through at least 2028. “As long as we can give me the ball, I should be able to make something happen with it.”
Beginning on Sunday against the Buccaneers, Tommy DeVito will be the one distributing the ball to Nabers and other receivers.
When the Italian-heritage-celebrating DeVito briefly became one of the NFL’s biggest stories while leading the Giants on a three-game winning streak as an undrafted rookie last season, Nabers was finishing up a standout career at LSU and totally unaware of what was happening around New York.
But teammates informed Nabers of the DeVito legend Monday after head coach Brian Daboll decided to elevate the local star over backup Drew Lock to replace the exiled Jones.
“I’m hoping he can go back to where he left off and continue to do what he’s done around here,” Nabers said. “I can establish chemistry with anybody, I think. I’m able to get open, I’m able to create separation. That’s a plus for him, for sure. He’s comfortable throwing me the ball.”
Because DeVito was a third-stringer all of training camp and throughout the first 11 weeks of the season, he and Nabers haven’t taken more than “a couple” reps together until this week.
“I know he’s got a steamer for an arm, so I got some catches with him after practice,” Nabers said. “The relationship with me and DeVito is cool.”
After totaling 35 catches on 52 targets for 386 yards and three touchdowns in his first four career games, Nabers has 26 catches on 42 targets for 221 yards and no touchdowns in the four games since he returned from a concussion.
Nabers said he will “support” Jones — for as long as he remains with the team, anyway — but what’s his early read on DeVito?
“His intentions with the ball are precise,” Nabers said. “He’s able to deliver the ball before you get out of your break. So, Daboll told me, ‘Make sure you get your head around pretty fast because the ball’s going to be coming.’ That’s my main focus. Having that as a quarterback — anticipation for him to throw the ball before you get out your break — that’s what we need.”
Daboll hasn’t committed to DeVito as the starter for the full final seven games. It is an audition for him to win a spot on next year’s depth chart and help bolster Daboll’s job security before the Giants reset in the 2025 draft.
“The coaches made a tough decision to go with Tommy,” Nabers said. “We can only rally around Tommy. Still look after the DJ. We’re not going to just throw him under the bus.”