New York Giants appear to be stuck in quicksand this season, and things took another hit on November 24 when Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield decided to mock Tommy DeVito with his signature Italian hand gesture after scoring. It was just another bleak day for the Giants, who fell to the Buccaneers 30-7 at MetLife Stadium, extending their miserable record to 2-9. The joke at DeVito's expense was more than just playful banter; it highlighted the desperation surrounding the Giants’ rocky season.
Mayfield’s touchdown celebration came shortly after he scrambled for a 10-yard run, boosting the Buccaneers to 23-0 before halftime. After scoring, he lifted his arms and performed the Italian finger-pinch gesture — the same move DeVito, the Giants’ new starting quarterback, made famous last season.
It’s worth noting how Mayfield openly embraced the crowd and played up the local connection during the celebration. "Baker Mayfield doing the Tommy DeVito in the Giants' end zone. Oh boy," one commentator said, capturing the awkwardness of the moment.
Masculine icons like Mayfield sometimes tread the line between trash talk and camaraderie, and after the game, he even called it a “tribute” to DeVito, saying, “He’s a good dude.” This might play well within the brotherhood of the sport, but for Giants fans, it served as salt on the wound.
DeVito had risen to fan-favorite status last year, when he filled in for the benched Daniel Jones and led the Giants to a few wins. After Jones’ abysmal performance this season, the team finally released him last week, making way for the 26-year-old New Jersey native who had now returned as the starter.
Yet, DeVito's homecoming wasn’t what he or any Giants fans hoped for. On his first day back under center, he completed only 3 of 5 passes for 31 yards during the first half and finished the game with 189 passing yards, unable to add any points to the scoreboard. The struggles amplified criticism of his capabilities, especially considering the ay Mayfield was thriving.
Reflecting on his performance and the mockery, DeVito expressed some indifference about the celebration, stating, “They were having a good game. They celebrated. It is what it is.” Which makes sense; with the camera often on him, he wasn't going to let Mayfield's antics pierce his ego too much.
Before the game, DeVito had become known for the playful finger-pinch gesture, which he described as celebrating his Italian roots. Most fans had likely taken it to heart, calling him affectionately "Tommy Cutlets" after he joked about enjoying home-cooked meals thanks to living with his parents. He enjoys perks such as laundry service and fresh chicken cutlets, he quipped with warmth. But all of this charm turned sour on the field.
Giants management decided to bench Jones after just ten games this season, citing their belief it was time for new direction. Unfortunately, the change fell flat as they let the Buccaneers dominate their turf. Jones was announced as receiving his release after the game and publicly commented on his time with the team, stating, "Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way," Giants owner John Mara said.
Jones, the sixth pick of the 2019 Draft, ended his stint with the Giants with stats showing just how dire the situation had become: he finished with just 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The organization seems set on finding future talent, staring down the specter of the draft come 2025. Meanwhile, DeVito’s future hangs precariously, shadowed by the ridicule from this latest defeat.
Stepping back to the game dynamics, Buccaneers’ Mayfield was on fire, throwing for 294 yards and adding the score to the on-field tally. His performance was laced with vibrant energy — something the Giants’ sideline sorely lacked. Wide receiver Sean Tucker and running back Bucky Irving also contributed rushing touchdowns to pad the scoreboard.
Mayfield’s exultation during scoring may have been amusing but also quite disheartening for Giants fans. It was yet another moment where all the pieces seemed to fit together perfectly for the Buccaneers, yet continued to fall apart for the Giants.
For DeVito, who hopes to build upon last year's promising outings, the defeat stings beyond the scoreboard. With fans hungry for more victories and each game adding heavier layers of disappointment, his time to shine may be slipping away. The Giants’ fan base has already begun peering forward to upcoming drafts and possible new recruits, keeping hope alive, even if only just barely.
Could Mayfield’s jubilant butt-ins, albeit innocent-seeming, actually symbolize the end of something beautiful for Giants fans? The brutal reality is they’re entrenched deep within this turbulent season, and the last thing they need is to have other teams dance on their misfortunes. This week’s loss may hurt, but it’s also becoming part of history on their shaky path to rebuilding.
