Tommy DeVito is back at center for the New York Giants.

The second-year quarterback replaces previous starter Daniel Jones against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. DeVito played in nine games last season and threw for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

In his six starts, he had seven touchdown passes to one interception as the team went 3-3. He was drafted in favor of Tyrod Taylor after week 16.

The undrafted rookie out of New Jersey led the Giants to three straight wins in late November and early December as DeVito mania took hold.

There was the discovery that “Tommy Cutlets” was still living at home. He signed items ranging from shoes to white tank tops at a strip mall event. And of course, DeVito’s agent became a viral sensation.

This time, though, DeVito said Wednesday he’s sticking to football.

“The external affairs will be on pause,” he said. “I’ve already had conversations with everyone around me, my inner circle. I want it to stay very close and make sure that Sunday is all about production.”

Here are the top moments – both on and off the field – from DeVito’s first stint as the Giants’ starting quarterback.

‘Living at home?’

DeVito made headlines even before his first start.

When asked how he felt about DeVito living at home, then-Giants running back Saquon Barkley replied, “Living at home?”

He couldn’t believe it, but DeVito said the decision was a no-brainer. Teammate Justin Pugh supported his quarterback.

“That’s the best. You know what, smart!” said Pugh. ‘Saving his money. Genius! That’s the only thing I would say from a financial point of view. Your mother helps with the laundry and makes sure you’re up on time, no distractions, incredible.’

DeVito laid it out in simple form: the benefits were clear.

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The victory that started it all

Coach Brian Daboll turned to DeVito as the starter against the Dallas Cowboys on November 12 with injuries to Jones and Taylor. It was the first time in the regular draft era (since 1967) that the Giants started an undrafted rookie in a non-strike game.

DeVito was humiliated against Dallas as New York lost 49-17. He bounced back a week later against the Washington Commanders, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in a 31–19 victory.

Through his first two starts, DeVito threw five touchdown passes, the most of any Giants quarterback through his first two starts since starters were first tracked in 1950, according to ESPN Research.

Barkley highlighted DeVito’s attitude after the win.

“To me, even in the game he played for the first time, he may not have thrown the ball that much, but just the confidence he came in with. The swagger he has. I thought it would be like that.” a long road, especially with me,” Barkley said.

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‘Tommy Cutlets’ reaches new heights

The more DeVito won, the more his legend grew.

After earning his second straight victory, DeVito hosted a book signing at a local sandwich shop, Primo Hoagies.

He stayed for three hours signing all kinds of things. Fans asked to take photos with the Italian hand gesture with fingers pinched in the air. DeVito began to adopt the gesture as his celebration, explaining it as an ode to the ancient Italians and his Italian heritage. As the event came to a close, one fan even shouted, “put it on for the damn chop king.”

The Tommy DeVito craze is wild!

A line around the building at Primo Hoagies in Wayne, hundreds deep, people getting shoes signed, asking him to sign the name Tommy Cutlets, bringing white tank tops for autographs, taking endless photos with 🤌 pic.twitter.com/gTshOPigp0

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 29, 2023

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An unforgettable Monday evening ride

DeVito’s hype reached its peak on “Monday Night Football” against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.

Trailing 22–21 with 1:33 remaining in the game, he led the Giants down the field on an 8-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a walk-off field goal. DeVito went 4-for-4 passing for 53 yards during that series. He became just the third undrafted rookie quarterback in the Common Draft era to win three of his first four career starts, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

His lone touchdown of the game led to a memorable sequence: DeVito’s agent, Sean Stellato, planted a kiss on DeVito’s father as the two celebrated.

The win put New York one game behind five teams for the final NFC wild card spot. Barkley again emphasized DeVito’s “confidence and swagger.” Packers coach Matt LaFleur called DeVito a “great competitor.”

Daboll kept his assessment simple.

“Earned the right to play (Monday), and earned the right to play next week,” Daboll said. “The boy did a good job.”