One of the more surprising roster-cut casualties happened to a former Illinois football quarterback.
The NFL preseason is coming to a close here in a week, and that means that teams need to cut down the rosters to just 53 players. When this happens, some players who had good preseasons could see their names on the butcher block.
One name that popped up on the cut list over the past couple of days was now-former New York Giants quarterback, Tommy DeVito. After having a great lone season with the Illini, DeVito would go undrafted this past April.
The Giants saw some potential in the New Jersey native, so they added him to the roster. DeVito got a chance to shine in the preseason as well. In game one against the Detroit Lions, DeVito would throw for 155 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also had a completion rate of 62.5%.
The #Giants are waiving rookie QB Tommy DeVito, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023
DeVito got action in the second game too. He had 88 yards with an 81.8% completion rate. In his final game of the preseason, DeVito showed out with 210 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He managed these numbers while completing 65.5% of his passes.
Despite clearly outplaying Tyrod Taylor, DeVito would be the quarterback who saw the unemployment line. He was cut on Monday and is now looking for a new home.
The New England Patriots would be a great option for former Illinois football quarterback, Tommy DeVito
It pains me to see DeVito get cut by the Giants. He is a good quarterback and proved that to be a fact in the preseason. Just look how efficient he was in his lone season in Champaign. He set a school record by completing 69.6% of his passes for the season.
But while DeVito did get cut, so did numerous other players throughout the NFL. One team that pretty much cleaned out their quarterback room was the New England Patriots.
On Tuesday, the Patriots didn’t just cut ties with one backup quarterback. They got rid of everyone but Mac Jones, who is now the only quarterback on the roster. New England would waive rookie Malik Cunningham, and in a surprising move, they would also let go of Bailey Zappe.
The #Patriots are waiving QB/WR Malik Cunningham and also waiving QB Bailey Zappe, per @jeffphowe and @RapSheet.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 29, 2023
Mac Jones is the only QB in New England right now. pic.twitter.com/8FjECAdVtn
This opens the door for another quarterback to join the Patriots’ roster. They have to have a backup, and DeVito would be a great option.
What does Bill Belichick like in a quarterback? Efficiency. He wants a quarterback who isn’t going to make mistakes. That is what DeVito can bring to the table.
The Patriots like Illinois players too. They just traded for former Illinois offensive lineman Vederian Lowe. They have a history of drafting Illinois players. And Bret Bielema worked there in 2018 and 2019 as a coach.
I believe DeVito is going to get more shots because he has the talent. New England would be a great landing spot. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots take a look at the Illinois one-year-wonder.