Brian Daboll Staying Mum on Starting QB Identity Post Bye

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has been very complimentary of rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito's play since he was forced into the starting role once Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Since then, DeVito has played well for a rookie, completing 66 of 105 passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions while posting a 2-1 record as a starter. But despite that showing, DeVito isn't assured of remaining the starting quarterback once veteran Tyrod Taylor, eligible to come off IR after the bye, returns.

"Still got a little bit to go, finishing up with the coaches on this game and will work as a coaching staff and discuss a lot of things, look at a lot of things, and try to fix some things," Daboll told reporters on Monday. "That'll be something we talk about as well."

Several additional attempts to get an answer from the Giants head coach came up short, as Daboll reiterated that he's focused on the here and now. But it would be hard for him to justify removing DeVito from the starting role, given how much life he's breathed into the offense.

In Week 11, DeVito threw three touchdown passes against the Commanders in a 31-19 win. Although the offense's output under DeVito wasn't as great last week in a 10-7 win over the Patriots, the rookie continued to do a good job with ball placement and keeping his throws out of harm's way.

Not bad for an undrafted player who plays a position that Daboll admitted is a challenge to develop.

"This guy, like I said, since OTAs, he's done everything we've asked him to do. I thought he had two good mentors in there in terms of players. I think (quarterback coach) Shea (Tierney) does an excellent job with him, (offensive coordinator Mike) Kaf(ka) does a great job with him.," Daboll said.

Daboll has also taken an active interest in ensuring DeVito is as prepared as can be.

"He and I meet once a week. We have since OTAs and discussed a lot of different things. He's got the right mindset, a lot of work to do. He's a young player, but he's made some progress and done a good job for us."

It would be surprising if Daboll pulls the plug on DeVito, whom he described as "intelligently aggressive" when taking deep shots down the field, given how well he's played and especially considering how much praise he continues to heap on the youngster.

"He's got good field vision. Usually, when he comes off the sideline, he can articulate what he sees, which is not always the easiest thing, whether it's for a young quarterback or even an older quarterback.

Most of the time, he sees it the way it is after you're watching on tape, which is always a hard thing to do, or you can come off to the sideline and say, ‘Hey, this is why I didn't do this’ or ‘man, I screwed this up. I should have let this one go or got it out a little quicker.’ I think all the reps he has had the last couple of weeks have helped him. We’ve just got to try to keep improving them."

For now, as he usually tends to do, Daboll keeps his options open.

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