Drake Maye left the Patriots’ game against the Lions in Munich on Sunday with an ankle injury, and Tommy DeVito took over at quarterback. The injury came in the first quarter, when Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sacked Maye. He limped off and went to the locker room. New England listed him as questionable to return. DeVito, the former Giants starter known as “Tommy Cutlets,” now runs an offense built around Maye. The Patriots entered the game at 5-4 after a Week 9 loss to Green Bay. Now they must find out how long Maye will be out.
Tommy DeVito’s path from Giants surprise to Patriots backup
DeVito is a 28-year-old New Jersey native in his fourth NFL season. He played college football at Syracuse and Illinois, then signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. His chance came in his rookie season, when injuries gutted New York’s quarterback room.He took it.DeVito started six games in 2023 and went 3-3. Across nine appearances he threw for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. The Giants won three straight with him, including a December win over the Packers that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week. His Italian-American roots, family celebrations and love of chicken cutlets turned “Tommy Cutlets” into a fan favorite.He made two more starts in 2024. The Giants waived him in August 2025, and the Patriots claimed him the next day.
DeVito’s $7.4 million deal and what he brings to New England
DeVito spent 2025 as New England’s emergency third quarterback behind Maye and Joshua Dobbs. He never played in a regular-season game.In March 2026, he agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $7.4 million, with $2 million guaranteed. He later won the backup job over rookie Behren Morton.Before Sunday he had appeared in two games, both in relief during lopsided losses. He completed four of eight passes for 51 yards, with no touchdown or interception.The sample is small, but DeVito’s starting experience is the real selling point. In 2023 he took over a quarterback room with little notice and a roster short on options. Sunday asked for something similar.New England’s offense was built around Maye, so DeVito’s first job is to keep it steady, not reinvent it.