‘Third quarterback’ rule change could benefit Giants’ Tommy DeVito

A change to the “emergency third quarterback” rule will likely lead to the New York Giants including Tommy DeVito on their 53-man roster.

Tom Pelissaro of the NFL Network reported the change on Monday:

NFL teams were informed that the NFLPA vetoed the revised Emergency 3rd Quarterback rule that would have allowed teams to elevate a bona fide QB from the practice squad an unlimited number of times.

So, the rule reverted to the 2023 version, which says the emergency third QB must be on the 53-man roster, not an elevation.

This past offseason, NFL owners approved the new third quarterback rule but the NFLPA likely saw it as a way to park an NFL-level player on the practice squad, almost like a 54th roster spot. Only the player gets paid the practice squad rate.

In the first two seasons under general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, the Giants have kept two quarterbacks on the roster at the end of training camp and one or two on the practice squad.

DeVito is currently third on the Giants’ depth chart at quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Drew Lock, so his roster spot is not guaranteed.

Now that the Giants can’t elevate him from the practice squad as easily when needed, they’ll have to place DeVito on the 53-man roster and designate him as the emergency quarterback on game day.

DeVito also warned this summer that the Giants could lose him if he is subjected to waivers. Other teams might be interested in adding him to their rosters or practice squads, although if he gets no roster offers he’ll likely be back with the Giants rather than another team’s practice squad.