Tommy DeVito makes $44,000 a game and lives with his mom. It makes sense

Let’s be clear. The New York Giants left Washington with a 31-19 win thanks to six takeaways. The defense put on a show with punched out balls and multiple interceptions, including a gameclinching pick six by Isaiah Simmons. It was an inspired performance by a Giants team that surrendered 640 yards and 49 points to the Dallas Cowboys just a week ago, and had a good chance of ending the season with the league’s worst record before Sunday’s win.

Waiting on the New York sideline to take advantage of the Commanders’ miscues was undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito, who had started the season as the Giants’ third-string quarterback. Thrust into the spotlight three weeks ago after injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, DeVito played his best game as a professional on Sunday. He tossed three touchdowns, a feat not often seen by Giants quarterbacks these day – Daniel Jones last managed to do so in December 2019. DeVito, whose initials are TD, also had 246 passing yards and no interceptions.

DeVito and his offensive line weren’t perfect but they got the job done. Under any semblance of a pass rush, DeVito went down. He was sacked nine times, several of which were simply down to a rookie who does not yet have a feel for the speed of the game. But when he had time, he made accurate throws, including this beauty to Saquon Barkley for a touchdown.

DeVito, who grew up close to the Giants in New Jersey, has a personality that jumps off the screen and he’s winning over fans at every turn. But, until Sunday, the biggest storyline around him was the revelation that he still lives with his parents, a move he told ESPN was a “no brainer.”

“Everything that I need is there at the house,” DeVito said. “The decision was made since this level of football is stressful for a rookie, especially from the quarterback position. There is a lot going on, a lot of meetings. So everything outside of football is handled by my family.” When told that his quarterback lives at home with his parents, Barkley responded with shock. “For real?”

The notion of any NFL quarterback living at home is odd when we hear about the likes of Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes signing contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But beyond the conveniences that DeVito crowed about, like having his dinner cooked and laundry done, it makes sense.

Unlike Barkley, who will make more than $10m this year, DeVito is earning $44,000 a game. The second he’s not on the Giants roster, he gets nothing. It may feel like DeVito has a bit of a leash given his role in a rare New York win, but we see improbable risers in the NFL quickly tumble all the time.

And even if he survives this season, there are no guarantees his career will be a long one. In fact, the average quarterback lasts just 4.4 years in the NFL – longer than the league’s 3.3 year average but not enough time to earn money you can retire with. The numbers are