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Tommy DeVito went from undrafted rookie to starting quarterback for the New York Giants in one whirlwind season. With that rise came a big question from fans: how much does he actually make in the NFL? This guide explains his salary in simple terms, how NFL pay works, what he earned as a rookie, what his 2024 contract looks like, and what could be next for his income. If you are new to NFL contracts and salary rules, do not worry—this breakdown keeps things clear and beginner-friendly.
Introduction
Football contracts can be confusing. There are base salaries, weekly checks, practice squad rates, bonuses, cap hits, and even different rules depending on whether a player is on the practice squad or the 53-man roster. For a player like Tommy DeVito—who started on the practice squad and later became a starter—understanding what he makes means understanding all those parts. This article gives you the full picture: quick answers first, then the details behind the numbers.
Who Is Tommy DeVito?
Tommy DeVito is a quarterback who played college football at Syracuse and Illinois. He was not picked in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. After starting the 2023 season on the practice squad, injuries at quarterback pushed him into action. He started games, won some big ones, and became a fan favorite. His story is the classic underdog rise, and it made a lot of people wonder how much a player like him earns.
Quick Answer: How Much Does Tommy DeVito Make?
For the 2024 season, Tommy DeVito re-signed with the Giants on an exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA) tender. That means his base salary for 2024 is the league minimum for a player with one credited season: $915,000. If he is on the 53-man roster all season, he earns that full amount, paid in weekly checks during the regular season. If he spends time on the practice squad instead, his pay is much lower on a weekly basis.
In 2023, his rookie year, DeVito started on the practice squad (lower weekly pay), then moved to the active roster (higher weekly pay) and even started games. While exact totals depend on dates and roster moves, a reasonable estimate for his 2023 earnings is in the low-to-mid six figures before taxes—roughly in the $400,000 to $450,000 range, including his small signing bonus. We will break down how that math works below.
How NFL Player Pay Actually Works
To understand Tommy DeVito’s compensation, you need a quick primer on NFL pay rules. Most players earn money in different ways depending on their roster status and contract structure.
Base Salary and Weekly Game Checks
Base salary is the headline number you see for a season, such as $915,000. Players do not receive that full amount all at once. Instead, it is paid in equal installments during the regular season. Teams typically pay base salary in 18 weekly checks (one for each week of the regular season, including the bye week). So if a player’s base salary is $915,000, his weekly check on the 53-man roster is roughly $915,000 divided by 18.
For example: $915,000 ÷ 18 ≈ $50,833 per week during the regular season when on the active roster.
Practice Squad Pay
Practice squad players are part of the team but are not on the 53-man roster. They practice, learn the playbook, and can be promoted or “elevated” to the active roster. Practice squad pay is weekly and much lower than active roster pay. In 2024, the minimum for younger practice squad players (fewer than two accrued seasons) is about $12,500 per week. If a player is on the practice squad all season, they are paid that weekly amount each week of the regular season.
Elevations and Promotions
The NFL allows teams to “elevate” practice squad players to the game-day roster a limited number of times without signing them to the full 53-man roster. When elevated, the player gets a higher check tied to the league minimum salary for that week. If the team fully promotes the player to the 53-man roster, the player moves to the higher base salary rate and receives the corresponding weekly game checks for as long as he remains on the roster.
Signing Bonuses and Guarantees
Drafted players sometimes receive larger signing bonuses. Undrafted free agents usually get small bonuses—often in the tens of thousands or less. Those are paid up front (or very early) and are considered guaranteed. Most undrafted rookie contracts have little or no base salary guaranteed. That means job security depends on staying on the roster, getting elevated, or being promoted to the active roster.
Playoff Shares
Postseason pay works differently. Instead of big salaries, players receive fixed playoff shares set by the NFL’s rules. These are smaller than regular-season checks but can add up if a team makes a deep playoff run. For most undrafted or minimum-salary players, playoff shares are a nice bonus but not a life-changing sum relative to veteran quarterback contracts.
Tommy DeVito’s 2023 Season: What He Likely Earned
Tommy DeVito’s first season is a great example of how pay changes when a player moves between the practice squad and the active roster.
Undrafted Free Agent Contract and Signing Bonus
As a 2023 undrafted free agent, DeVito signed a standard three-year rookie deal at the league minimum levels, with a small signing bonus. Undrafted signing bonuses are modest; for players like DeVito, reports typically place them in the low five-figure range. These bonuses are guaranteed and paid early, but the base salary itself is not guaranteed unless stated, which is rare for UDFAs.
Practice Squad Weeks in 2023
DeVito began the 2023 season on the Giants’ practice squad. For that role, the 2023 practice squad minimum was about $12,000 per week for younger players. If a player spent, for example, 8–10 weeks on the practice squad, that portion of the season would total between $96,000 and $120,000 in weekly practice-squad pay.
Active Roster Weeks in 2023
Later in the season, DeVito was elevated and then promoted to the 53-man roster, where he started games. On the active roster, a rookie’s minimum base salary in 2023 was $750,000, which translates to roughly $41,667 per week when paid over the regular season. If DeVito spent, for example, 7–9 weeks on the active roster, that part of the season would add roughly $292,000 to $375,000 in base salary during those weeks.
A Reasonable 2023 Earnings Estimate
Exact 2023 totals would depend on the dates of each transaction and elevation, but a simple, reasonable estimate looks like this:
• A small undrafted signing bonus (low five figures).
• Around two to three months of practice squad pay at about $12,000 per week.
• Around two months of active roster pay at roughly $41,667 per week.
Add those together, and a fair estimate for DeVito’s 2023 football income lands in the low-to-mid six figures—often cited around the $400,000 to $450,000 range before taxes and fees. This is impressive for a rookie who started the year off the 53-man roster, and it reflects how much active roster time can boost pay even within the same season.
Tommy DeVito’s 2024 Contract: The ERFA Tender
After 2023, the Giants retained DeVito as an exclusive-rights free agent (ERFA). ERFA rules give the team the right to keep a player with very limited negotiation leverage, typically at the league minimum for his experience level. DeVito signed his ERFA tender for 2024.
2024 Base Salary
For 2024, DeVito’s base salary as an ERFA is $915,000. That is the NFL minimum for a player with one credited season. This amount is not fully guaranteed unless specifically stated, but it sets his weekly pay rate while he is on the 53-man roster.
Weekly Check on the 53-Man Roster
At $915,000 paid over the regular season, the weekly check is approximately $50,833 per week. If DeVito spends the entire regular season on the 53-man roster, he earns the full $915,000. If he spends only part of the season on the active roster, he is paid only for the weeks he is on it. If he moves to the practice squad at any point, his pay drops to the practice squad weekly rate for those weeks.
Practice Squad Rates in 2024
If a player with DeVito’s service time were on the practice squad in 2024, the minimum is about $12,500 per week. That is far below a weekly active roster check, but it still provides steady pay and a path back to the 53-man roster.
Cap Hit and Guarantees
ERFA deals are simple and team-friendly. The cap hit is usually just the base salary (and any small bonuses if present), and guarantees are minimal or none. For DeVito, the 2024 ERFA tender is primarily about the $915,000 base salary and the opportunity to compete for a roster spot and playing time.
What About Off-Field Income?
When DeVito’s story took off in 2023, his popularity led to local fame and branding moments. He appeared in local promotions, events, and autograph signings. He also leaned into the “Tommy Cutlets” persona that fans embraced. Exact amounts from endorsements, appearances, or merchandise are not public. For a player at his stage, these off-field earnings are usually a helpful bonus—ranging from small, one-off checks to low six figures if a wave of interest hits. These deals can grow if the player continues to produce on the field and build a brand.
How His Pay Compares to Other NFL Quarterbacks
Quarterback pay in the NFL has a wide range. Here is how DeVito’s situation stacks up:
Franchise Quarterbacks
Top starters make $40–60 million per year, often with significant guarantees and massive signing bonuses. DeVito is not in this tier, and very few players are.
Veteran Backups
Experienced backups often earn $2–8 million per year, depending on their track record and how much teams trust them to step in. Those deals can include incentives and partial guarantees. DeVito’s 2024 ERFA salary is well below this level, but that is normal for a younger, developing quarterback.
Undrafted and Early-Career Quarterbacks
Players like DeVito usually make the league minimums until they accrue more seasons, prove they can play, and reach restricted free agency or unrestricted free agency. Many bounce between the practice squad and the active roster and are paid accordingly. DeVito’s path fits this pattern so far.
How Much Did He Make So Far? A Simple Career Snapshot
While the exact figures depend on the exact roster timelines and any undisclosed bonuses, here is a simple view:
2023 (Rookie Year)
Estimated in the low-to-mid six figures, combining a small UDFA signing bonus, several weeks of practice squad pay, and multiple weeks of active roster base salary. A commonly cited ballpark: around $400,000 to $450,000 before taxes.
2024 (ERFA Season)
Base salary set at $915,000 if he spends the whole season on the 53-man roster. If he splits time between the roster and the practice squad, his total will be lower (depending on how many weeks he is on each).
Total to Date
By the end of 2024, if DeVito spends the full season on the active roster, his career on-field earnings would likely sit in the low seven figures. If he splits time with the practice squad, that total would be somewhat less. Off-field deals would add on top of that, but those amounts are not public.
Why NFL Salaries Can Be Tricky to Read
Fans often see a “salary” and think that is the guaranteed amount. But in the NFL, base salary is not always guaranteed. Weekly checks stop if a player is cut, placed on the practice squad, or otherwise removed from the 53-man roster (though injury protections and other rules can apply). That is why undrafted and early-career players focus on staying on the active roster—those weeks are worth much more than practice squad weeks.
What Could Make DeVito’s Salary Jump Next?
There are several ways a quarterback like DeVito can increase his income over the next few seasons.
More Playing Time and Strong Performance
Quarterback is a performance-driven market. If DeVito plays more snaps and performs well, teams notice. That can lead to better contracts, even as a backup. Strong tape is the best path to higher pay.
Future Contract Status
Players move from ERFA to restricted free agency (RFA) after three accrued seasons. As an RFA, a team can tender a contract at higher amounts and with draft-pick compensation if another team tries to sign the player. That is often the first time a player can see a notable pay increase, especially if he has shown promise on the field.
Incentive Clauses and Playtime Thresholds
Some deals include incentives—extra money for playing time, team wins, or hitting performance targets. While undrafted players often start with simple contracts, incentive-laden deals can appear in later seasons once the player establishes a role.
Taxes, Agent Fees, and Take-Home Pay
The number you see (like $915,000) is before taxes and fees. Here are the basics that affect take-home pay:
Taxes
NFL players pay federal income tax, and often state and local taxes. They can also owe “jock taxes” in states where they play away games. Together, taxes can be a large percentage of gross income.
Agent Fees
Agent fees for NFL contracts are capped (commonly up to 3% for standard NFL contract negotiations). Players may also have separate marketing agents for endorsements, which can add different fee structures.
Other Deductions
Players contribute to benefits and union dues and may have insurance and other professional costs. The bottom line: the take-home pay is significantly lower than the headline number.
Common Questions About Tommy DeVito’s Pay
Does he get paid in the offseason?
Base salaries are paid during the regular season. Offseason workout bonuses or per-diem payments can exist, but many ERFA and UDFA-level deals are simple and do not carry big offseason bonuses. Players do receive per diems during mandatory team activities, but these are relatively small compared to regular-season game checks.
Does he get paid per start?
Not exactly. Players on the active roster get paid per week, not per start. Whether he starts or backs up, he still earns the same weekly check as long as he is on the 53-man roster. Incentives could change this in some contracts, but the base weekly pay does not depend on starting.
What happens if he is elevated from the practice squad?
Elevations pay the player at an active-roster rate for that week. If he is elevated for game day but not signed to the 53-man roster, he returns to the practice squad the next week and resumes the practice squad rate unless elevated again.
What about playoff earnings?
Playoff pay is set by the league and is the same for most players on a team, regardless of their individual salary. If the team reaches the postseason, each round brings a set bonus. These are helpful but are smaller than regular-season game checks for active-roster players.
Realistic Paths for DeVito’s Earnings Over the Next Two Years
Predicting NFL careers is hard, but we can lay out typical paths for a player in DeVito’s position.
Path 1: Solid Backup on the 53-Man Roster
If DeVito stays on the active roster and develops as a trusted backup, he could move from minimum-salary deals to multi-year backup contracts. These often range from $2–8 million per year, with incentives tied to playing time and wins.
Path 2: Roster Bubble Player
If he moves between the active roster and the practice squad, his pay will swing week to week. This is common for many young quarterbacks who are QB3. They can still build a career, and one strong stretch can change their market.
Path 3: Spot Starter to Long-Term Role
If injuries or opportunity put him back into the starting lineup and he performs, his payday could come faster. Even a handful of quality starts can lift a quarterback into a higher-paid backup role or set the stage for a competitive RFA period.
Why the 2024 Minimum Matters for DeVito
The minimum salary is more than just a number. It sets his weekly paycheck, determines the cap hit for the team, and creates a baseline for negotiations. At $915,000 for 2024, it gives DeVito a stable platform while he competes to rise on the depth chart. It is a major step up from practice squad pay and shows the team values him enough to keep him under contract on the active-roster track.
A Simple Example: How One Season Can Play Out Financially
Imagine a season where DeVito spends nine weeks on the practice squad and nine weeks on the 53-man roster in 2024:
• Practice squad (9 weeks at about $12,500): roughly $112,500.
• Active roster (9 weeks at about $50,833): roughly $457,500.
• Estimated total: around $570,000 before taxes and fees.
If he instead spends all 18 weeks on the active roster, he earns the full $915,000. If he spends all 18 weeks on the practice squad, he earns around $225,000. That is why active roster time matters so much to a young quarterback’s paycheck.
Context: The League Minimums and Why They Rise
The NFL minimum salary increases gradually under the collective bargaining agreement. In 2023, the rookie minimum was $750,000. In 2024, the minimum for a player with one credited season is $915,000. These increases protect younger players and raise the floor of earnings, but there is still a massive gap between minimum deals and premium quarterback contracts.
What Fans Should Remember About DeVito’s Salary
There are three big takeaways if you want to understand how much Tommy DeVito makes:
1) The number changes with his roster status
On the practice squad, the weekly check is modest. On the 53-man roster, the weekly check is much higher. Elevations for game day fall somewhere in between. Movement between those statuses changes his pay quickly.
2) 2024 is a minimum-salary season
As an ERFA, DeVito is on a league-minimum base salary for his experience: $915,000. That is good money, but it is not guaranteed unless the contract specifies it, and it is far below veteran backup or starter money. It is, however, a great platform to build on.
3) Performance can change everything
Quarterbacks can move up the pay ladder fast if they show they can run an offense and win games. Consistency, preparation, and opportunity matter. If DeVito makes the most of his chances, the next contract could be much larger.
Conclusion
Tommy DeVito’s salary tells the story of how NFL pay really works for players who are fighting their way onto rosters. In 2023, he likely earned in the low-to-mid six figures thanks to a mix of practice squad time and active roster weeks. In 2024, he signed an ERFA tender with a base salary of $915,000—the league minimum for his experience—paid in weekly checks when he is on the 53-man roster. If he stays on the active roster all season, he takes home that full amount. If he splits time with the practice squad, his total will be less, based on how many weeks he spends in each role.
For fans asking “how much does he make,” the simple answer is this: in 2024, Tommy DeVito makes $915,000 if he is on the roster all year, with a weekly paycheck of about $50,833 during the regular season. In 2023, he likely made around $400,000 to $450,000 total, depending on exact dates and promotions, plus a small signing bonus. Beyond that, his earnings can grow with performance, stability on the active roster, and future contract opportunities. Like many young quarterbacks, his income is tied to his opportunity—and he has already shown he can make the most of one.