Tommy DeVito’s agent Sean Stellato spoke with PEOPLE exclusively about the quarterback’s move to the New England Patriots after being released from the New York Giants
- The New Jersey-based quarterback was cut from his hometown team on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and claimed off waivers by the Patriots around 26 hours later
- DeVito tells PEOPLE exclusively that DeVito is “ready” for his New England transition
Tommy DeVito is moving out!
The New Jersey native, 27, was waived by the New York Giants on Tuesday, Aug. 26, closing the chapter on the hometown hero’s Cinderella story after he went from an undrafted, third-string quarterback to a starting role with three back-to-back wins in the 2023 season.
About a day later, the Italian-American player — famously nicknamed “Tommy Cutlets” and “Italian Stallion” — was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, where he’ll be the third-string QB behind Drake Maye and Josh Dobbs.
“You’re looking at about 26 hours since he was cut by the New York Giants and claimed by the New England Patriots,” DeVito’s agent, Sean Stellato, tells PEOPLE exclusively while reflecting on the whirlwind the past day has been for the dynamic duo.
“Tommy being such a fierce competitor and obviously loving his hometown team, I mean that definitely was disappointing,” he shares, adding, “He obviously loved the opportunity to play for his favorite team.”
DeVito didn’t play as much in 2024, despite his eventful rookie year with the Giants. He made two starts (both losses) before the team added Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Jaxson Dart to the quarterback room during the 2025 NFL offseason.
While there was hope that DeVito would stick around on the practice squad, he failed to make the Giants’ 53-man roster.
“Now he’s ready to make the transition,” a confident Stellato makes clear of DeVito, who made his way north last night. “He’s looking forward to the opportunity and challenges in front of him to now be a member of the New England Patriots.”
“Storied franchise, six World Championships,” he says of the team now led by Mike Vrabel, who was introduced in January by Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft as the 16th head coach in the team’s history.
“Josh McDaniel is one of the best offensive-minded quarterback coaches in the history of the game. I’m super excited because I know he’s going to have a chance to be developed,” Stellato says, emphasizing, “A guy that developed Tom Brady, developed Jimmy Garoppolo.”
In 2023, the undrafted rookie became one of the NFL’s biggest feel-good stories of the season after the team’s starter Daniel Jones and his backup Tyrod Taylor both suffered injuries midway through the year, crowning DeVito the new starter. He quickly became a fan favorite after leading the Giants to three-straight victories.
DeVito and his fashion-forward rep, Stellato, became local celebrities, with fans paying nearly $200 for DeVito’s autograph during his rookie season. At the time, Jersey native also topped headlines for still living with his parents in his hometown of Cedar Grove amid his pro football success.
“There’s talk he might actually move into my basement!” Stellato, who resides in Massachusetts, tells PEOPLE with a laugh as he discusses his client’s relocation up north.
Of the NFL player’s parents, Alexandra and Tom DeVito, Stellato says “they’re extremely close” and notes how they attend every one of their son’s games.
“They’re at every practice,” he continues of DeVito’s proud, Italian-American parents. “So it’s going to be a little transitional, but that four and a half hour ride is fully drivable, especially for his dad. He’s got energy level for days and it’s not too far.”
Stellato adds, “Your firstborn leaving the nest… It’ll be a little transitional, but I know they’ll make things work — and they’re a big FaceTime family, which is pretty cool.”
For the player who’s been deemed “Tommy Cutlets,” Stellato confirms of DeVito’s mother: “There’ll be frozen cutlets filling up the freezer, she’ll make sure he has all her homemade sauces and all that other good stuff as well.”
As for DeVito himself, Stellato is confident in what he’s going to bring to the New England table.
“They’ve got a lot of passionate football fans that they set a precedent and a benchmark to win,” he says, emphasizing, “There’s a standard to be a New England Patriot.”
He adds, “I think Tommy talks and understands that language, and he’s just excited for the opportunity for another chapter in his amazing career.”
The New England Patriots first regular season game is on Sunday, Sept. 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
