The NFL waiver wire has struck again, and this time, it’s sent a fan favorite on an unexpected journey. Tommy DeVito, the charismatic quarterback affectionately known as “Tommy Cutlets” during his stint with the New York Giants, has been claimed by the New England Patriots [1]. This move marks the end of DeVito’s somewhat fairytale run with his hometown team, a story that captivated many during the 2023 season.
DeVito’s departure from the Giants wasn’t entirely unforeseen, but it still came as a bit of a surprise to some. Despite his impressive performance in the Giants’ preseason finale against the very same Patriots, where he completed 17 of 20 passes and threw three touchdowns, he ultimately didn’t make the Giants’ initial 53-man roster [1, 2]. With a crowded quarterback room featuring Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and first-round pick Jaxson Dart, DeVito faced an uphill battle for a spot. The hope was he might land on the practice squad, but the Patriots swooped in, guaranteeing him a roster spot for at least the first three weeks of the regular season [1].
DeVito’s rise to prominence in 2023 was a true underdog story. As an undrafted rookie, he stepped in when Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor went down with injuries, leading the Giants to three consecutive wins. His on-field grit and off-field persona, complete with his Italian-American roots and the “Tommy Cutlets” nickname, quickly endeared him to the New York faithful. His agent, Sean Stellato, even became a local celebrity, and fans were shelling out nearly $200 for DeVito’s autograph [1].
Now, DeVito heads to New England, where he’ll join a Patriots team looking to solidify their quarterback depth. While Drake Maye is expected to be the starter, DeVito will likely compete with veteran Joshua Dobbs for the backup role [1]. It’s a fresh start for the 27-year-old, and he’ll even get a chance to face his former team when the Giants visit Foxborough for “Monday Night Football” in Week 13. It’s going to be interesting to see how the “Tommy Cutlets” saga continues in New England.
References
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/08/27/sports/tommy-devitos-giants-run-ends-as-patriots-claim-qb-on-waivers/
[2] https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46078154/new-york-giants-release-quarterback-tommy-cutlets-devito-source-says
[3] https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/live/nfl-news-cuts-live-updates-tommy-devito-desmond-ridder-and-jake-haener-among-qbs-waived-201217423.html