Giants’ decision to start Tommy DeVito over Tyrod Taylor has its pitfalls

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) is shown during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 26, 2023.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is rolling with Tommy DeVito as Big Blue’s starting quarterback for their primetime showdown against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. This came as a surprise to some as veteran Tyrod Taylor, the backup behind Daniel Jones to start the season, was back at practice on Monday.

While there is something to be said for riding the hot hand, this is a questionable call at best if the G-Men are serious about competing for a playoff spot.

“Tommy’s done a good job,” Daboll said. “He’s improved in each of the games he’s played… I thought he played well the last two games. He made good decisions, was accurate, and earned the right to play.”

While DeVito has certainly improved from game to game, the Giants offense has still not reached the level of efficiency compared to when Taylor was at the helm. Two out of three of the Giants’ best offensive outputs have come when Taylor was a starter, and DeVito has yet to put up better numbers despite starting and finishing two more games than Taylor.

“I think he’s done some good things the last couple of games and I think he’s earned it,” Daboll reiterated when asked if DeVito gives the team the best chance to win.

For a team that is still in the hunt for a playoff spot, it’s peculiar as to why Daboll and the Giants would opt to go with an undrafted rookie while they have a 13-year veteran on the bench. If Taylor was still recovering and the Giants were easing him back into game action, that would be understandable. Although Taylor feels that he is “right back into the swing of things.”

Considering the fact the Giants were the fourth youngest team in the NFL to start the year, one has to ask why veteran presence, especially at the signal caller position, would not be more heavily relied upon. In a media scrum at…