Thrust into the starting quarterback role, rookie Tommy DeVito is trying to make a case to remain the team’s starter for the rest of the season.

If anyone had asked New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll if he’d envision a scenario in which Tommy DeVito, who started the year on the practice squad as the team’s third quarterback, would be the starter at this point of the season, he probably would have said no.

But yet here we are, with DeVito stepping in for the injured Daniel Jones (ACL) and Tyrod Tylor (rib cage). Not only has DeVito risen to the challenge before him, but he’s also making what some might argue is a strong case to continue in the role of starting quarterback even if Taylor returns from injured reserve after the bye week.

“He did a good job of picking up our offense,” Daboll said when asked about the qualities DeVito possesses. “I think he operates well in the pocket, he’s got quick feet, he throws with anticipation and timing, and he’s instinctive. He does a good job of seeing defenders and feeling defenses.

“I don’t think he’s an overprocessor, an overthinker. He can make a variety of throws, and he was a good young player to try to work with and develop. Hopefully, as we spend a year with him, he will get a little bit better so that maybe he can have something the following year.”

Those are all high words of praise for an undrafted free agent who, in his first days as a Giant, looked like he didn’t even belong on the same field as the other players. But through hard work, study, and playing within his game, the 25-year-old Cedar Grove, New Jersey native has quickly won over his teammates for his work ethic and commitment to the game.

“He comes in with the right mentality,” running back Saquon Barkley said just minutes after DeVito led the Giants to a 31-19 win over the Washington Commanders last week. “He’s a confident dude from Jersey, so I’m excited and happy for that.

“I think he’s proving people wrong. We know what he is capable of doing. It’s the NFL, the National Football League. You don’t get here by accident.”

Even players on the defensive side of the ball have taken notice of DeVito’s growth as an NFL quarterback.

“Yep. I thought in the first quarter, he came out and was pretty dynamic in the passing game, and that sparked everything,” inside linebacker Bobby Okereke said.