Tommy Devito Salary How Much Does He Make

Tommy DeVito went from an undrafted rookie to a starting NFL quarterback for the New York Giants in 2023. That surprise rise made a lot of fans ask a simple question: how much does Tommy DeVito actually make? NFL salaries can feel confusing, especially with practice squad rules, weekly pay, game-day elevations, and performance bonuses. This guide explains his pay in clear, beginner-friendly terms. You will learn how NFL contracts work for undrafted players, what DeVito likely earned in 2023, what he can earn in 2024 depending on his roster status, and what extra money (like performance-based pay) can add to the total.

Introduction: Why Tommy DeVito’s Salary Story Matters

Tommy DeVito’s story is part football, part finance lesson. He was not drafted. He started on the practice squad. Injuries pushed him into the lineup, and he helped the Giants win games. Each of those steps came with different pay rules. Understanding his salary helps you understand how the NFL pays young players and why the exact number can change week to week.

In simple terms, DeVito’s money comes from a mix of base salary, weekly pay, and league programs. The key point: an NFL player’s income often depends on his status in that specific week—practice squad or active roster. Let’s break it down.

Who Is Tommy DeVito?

Tommy DeVito is a quarterback from New Jersey who played college football at Syracuse and Illinois. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023. During the 2023 season, injuries to the Giants’ other quarterbacks gave DeVito a chance to play, and he became a fan favorite for his calm play and local roots. He went from practice squad quarterback to starting games, which also changed how and how much he got paid.

How NFL Pay Works for Undrafted Players

Base Contracts for UDFAs

Undrafted free agents (UDFAs) usually sign a standard three-year deal at league minimum salaries. These contracts are often around $2.7 million total if the player stays on the active roster for all three seasons. They can include a small signing bonus, but nothing like the big bonuses drafted players receive.

Important detail: a UDFA’s “three-year total” is not guaranteed. If the player is waived, moved to the practice squad, or not on the 53-man roster, he does not collect the full amount. Pay follows status.

Practice Squad vs. Active Roster

Practice squad players are paid by the week during the regular season. The weekly minimum is set by the NFL and rises slightly each year. Players on the 53-man active roster are paid a base salary, also spread out as weekly checks during the season.

Because of that, a UDFA like DeVito can have weeks at a practice squad rate and weeks at an active roster rate, depending on what the team needs and the player’s role that week.

Practice Squad Pay: The Basics

Weekly Pay for Practice Squad

Practice squad pay is simple: you earn a fixed amount per week while you are on the practice squad during the regular season. For younger players, the minimum weekly rate is set by the CBA (the league’s labor agreement). In the early 2020s, this minimum has been around the low to mid-$12,000s per week and increases slightly each season.

A practice squad player who spends the whole 18-week regular season on the squad can make a six-figure income. But many players move between the squad and the active roster during the season, which changes their pay.

Game-Day Elevations

A practice squad player can be “elevated” for a game (up to a limited number of times per season) without being signed to the 53-man roster. When that happens, he is paid the prorated minimum for the active roster for that one game week. After the game, he returns to the practice squad and back to practice squad weekly pay—unless the team signs him to the 53-man roster permanently.

Active Roster Pay: The Weekly “Game Check”

How Weekly Pay Is Calculated

Players on the active roster receive their base salary over the course of the regular season in weekly checks. The NFL regular season now covers 18 weeks (17 games and one bye week), so a player’s base salary is divided by 18 to find the weekly amount.

For example, if a rookie’s base salary is $750,000 in a given season, the weekly pay is roughly $750,000 ÷ 18 = about $41,667 per week. If the minimum salary is higher (as it is in later seasons), the weekly amount goes up accordingly.

Tommy DeVito’s 2023 Earnings: What We Can Say

His Contract Status

In 2023, DeVito signed as a UDFA to a standard minimum-salary deal with the Giants. He did not start the season on the 53-man roster. He began on the practice squad, which paid him a weekly practice squad rate.

Later, the Giants elevated him on game weeks. Each elevation paid him the prorated minimum for that week. After a limited number of elevations, the team signed him to the active roster, which then paid him the weekly active-roster rate for the rest of the season.

A Realistic 2023 Ballpark

Because DeVito shifted between practice squad and active roster, his 2023 income was a mix of lower practice squad weekly pay and higher active-roster weekly pay. Here is the simple idea:

• Weeks on practice squad: paid the practice squad minimum per week.

• Weeks elevated or on 53-man roster: paid the weekly portion of the league-minimum active-roster salary.

If you assume a handful of weeks on practice squad, a few game-week elevations, and then multiple weeks on the active roster, a reasonable 2023 estimate puts his total in the mid-to-high six figures before taxes and deductions. The exact amount depends on the precise week-by-week timeline and any small signing bonus he received as a UDFA.

What About Playoffs?

NFL playoff money is separate and based on a fixed schedule of bonuses set by the league. Players get paid a set amount for each playoff round, which is usually far less than a full week of regular-season pay but still meaningful. Since the Giants did not go on a playoff run in 2023, playoff bonuses were not a major factor in DeVito’s 2023 income.

2024 Salary: What Determines His Pay This Season

Exclusive-Rights Free Agent (ERFA) Tender

After the 2023 season, DeVito fit the criteria to be an ERFA. In simple terms, an ERFA can be kept by his team at the league minimum salary for his service time if the team offers him that one-year tender. For 2024, the league minimums rose again. If a quarterback like DeVito is on the 53-man roster for the season, his base salary for 2024 lines up with those minimums.

Minimum salaries depend on how many credited or accrued seasons the player has. A player with one accrued season earns a higher minimum than a rookie. If DeVito is on the 53-man roster for the full 2024 season, his base would be the 2024 minimum for his service bracket, paid in weekly checks over 18 weeks.

Active Roster vs. Practice Squad in 2024

There are two main 2024 scenarios:

1) He is on the 53-man roster most or all of the year. In that case, he earns the 2024 league minimum for his service time, spread across 18 weekly checks. The weekly number will be noticeably higher than his 2023 weekly rate because league minimums increased year over year.

2) He spends time on the practice squad. Then he earns the 2024 practice squad weekly rate (which is higher than 2023’s rate), plus any prorated active-roster pay for weeks he is elevated or signed to the 53-man roster.

In simple language: the more weeks he is on the 53-man roster, the closer his annual pay gets to the full 2024 minimum. The more weeks he spends on the practice squad, the more his pay leans toward the weekly practice squad rate.

Weekly NFL Pay in Plain English

Why People Talk About “Per-Week” Money

Fans often say “he makes X dollars per week” because NFL players are paid weekly during the regular season. For example, if the minimum base is in the mid six figures, dividing by 18 gives you the weekly check. This is also why a mid-season promotion can significantly change a player’s income: every week on the 53-man roster counts a lot more than a week on the practice squad.

Practice Squad Weekly Rates Change by Year

Practice squad minimums go up slightly each year with the labor agreement. Younger practice squad players have a set minimum that is usually around the low-to-mid $12,000s per week in recent seasons. Veterans on the practice squad can negotiate higher weekly rates within league rules, sometimes reaching into the high teens to low twenty-thousands per week, but young players normally make the minimum.

Bonuses and Add-Ons That Matter

Signing Bonus

As an undrafted player, DeVito likely received a small signing bonus when he first agreed to join the Giants. For UDFAs, these are usually modest compared to drafted players. This amount is paid upfront, but when people quote “salary,” they often focus on weekly base pay and forget the small signing bonus. The signing bonus still counts as income for the player, and it is part of the total contract value.

Performance-Based Pay (PBP)

One of the biggest hidden factors for low-salary players who play a lot of snaps is the NFL’s Performance-Based Pay program. It pays out the following spring and is designed to reward players who played many snaps relative to their salary. Because DeVito started games and played significant snaps in 2023 while on a low-salary contract, he was a strong candidate to receive a meaningful PBP payout for the 2023 season.

PBP varies widely, but it can add tens of thousands or even a few hundred thousand dollars for young players who play a lot. It does not replace salary; it is a separate check distributed after the season when the league finalizes snap counts and formulas.

Workout Bonuses and Per-Game Roster Bonuses

Some contracts include optional extras, like small workout bonuses for attending offseason conditioning or per-game roster bonuses if the player is active on game day. These are not always included in UDFA deals, and amounts are usually modest compared to base salary, but it depends on the team’s contract style and the player’s role.

Endorsements and Off-Field Income

Local Deals and Social Buzz

After DeVito’s breakout in 2023, his profile grew quickly. Local popularity can lead to local sponsorships or appearances. These deals vary a lot and are usually private. For a young quarterback without a long track record, endorsement money is typically smaller than NFL salary but can still be meaningful, especially during a hot streak when fan interest is high.

These deals might range from small appearances to short-term partnerships with local businesses. National deals tend to go to established stars. As a second-year pro still building his resume, DeVito’s off-field income likely supports, not replaces, his NFL earnings.

Taxes, Agent Fees, and Take-Home Pay

“How Much Does He Keep?”

Gross salary is not take-home pay. NFL players pay federal income tax, state and local taxes (often in the state where the game is played), agent fees (commonly around 3% for NFL contracts, though rates vary), union dues, and other deductions like 401(k) or benefits programs.

Players on teams in high-tax states or who play many road games in high-tax states can see a larger share go to taxes. This is important for New York and New Jersey markets where state and local taxes can be significant. After taxes and fees, a player’s net can be much lower than the headline salary number.

How DeVito’s Pay Compares to Other QBs

Rookies and Minimum Salaries

Minimum salaries are not unique to quarterbacks. Many rookies and young players at all positions earn the minimum if they are on the 53-man roster. For quarterbacks, the minimum is still the minimum—unless they are high draft picks. First-round quarterbacks earn far more because of draft slotting and big signing bonuses.

DeVito, as an undrafted player, follows the minimum-salary path unless he signs a new deal. His journey is similar to many UDFAs who make a roster and prove they can play, especially in backup roles.

Veteran Backups vs. Young Backups

Veteran backup quarterbacks often earn more than the minimum—sometimes several million dollars per season—because they bring experience and are expected to step in and manage games without a big drop-off. Young backups often make near the minimum until they build a track record. DeVito’s path is the latter: minimum deals at first, with potential for more later if he proves long-term value.

Estimating DeVito’s 2023 Total

The Logic Behind a Ballpark Number

To estimate his 2023 income, think in steps:

• Practice squad weeks: multiply the number of PS weeks by the 2023 practice squad weekly minimum.

• Elevation weeks: multiply those weeks by the weekly portion of the 2023 rookie minimum salary.

• Weeks on the 53: multiply those weeks by the weekly portion of the 2023 rookie minimum salary.

• Add any small signing bonus.

• Add any Performance-Based Pay paid the next spring, once the league computes it.

Because DeVito had a mix of practice squad and active-roster time, a mid-to-high six-figure 2023 total before taxes is a reasonable estimate, with PBP possibly adding to that the following spring.

Estimating DeVito’s 2024 Pay

Two Common Scenarios

Scenario A: He is on the 53-man roster for most or all of the season. In this case, his 2024 salary lands at the league minimum for his service time, paid in 18 weekly checks. That total would be higher than his 2023 minimum because league minimums rose from 2023 to 2024. This path is typical if the team carries three quarterbacks on the active roster under the emergency QB rule.

Scenario B: He spends more time on the practice squad. Then his 2024 pay is the practice squad weekly minimum for those weeks, plus the prorated minimum for weeks he is elevated or signed to the 53. This mixed path could put him anywhere from the low-to-mid six figures for the year, depending on how many weeks he is active versus on the practice squad.

What If He Starts Again?

Starts Do Not Change the Base Rate

For young players on minimum deals, becoming the starter does not automatically raise the base salary during that season. The main financial change is that he must be on the 53-man roster to start, so he earns the higher weekly active-roster rate rather than the practice squad rate. Over multiple weeks, that adds up. Performance-Based Pay after the season may also go up if he plays more snaps.

Why Weekly Status Is Everything

Roster Churn Is the Rule, Not the Exception

NFL teams manage injuries and depth week to week. A young quarterback can move from the practice squad to an elevation to the active roster and back. Each move affects pay. This is why two players with similar season stories can still end up with different totals: the exact weeks in each status matter a lot.

How to Follow Reliable Salary Updates

Public Contract Trackers

Several public websites track NFL contracts and roster moves in real time. When you see week-by-week changes, you can estimate a player’s pay by applying the weekly math. Check for the player’s base salary, practice squad status, and active roster dates. Combine that with performance-based pay announcements in the spring for the prior season to get a more complete picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tommy DeVito make millions like other quarterbacks?

Not yet. As an undrafted player early in his career, DeVito has been on minimum-salary deals. That is normal. If he remains in the league and proves long-term value, he could earn more on future contracts. For now, his income is solid but closer to the minimum scale compared to star quarterbacks.

Why did people say he made different amounts per week?

He did. Practice squad weekly pay is one number. Active roster weekly pay is another, usually much higher. When he was elevated or signed to the 53-man roster, his pay jumped to the prorated minimum for those weeks.

Do endorsements change the story a lot?

Endorsements help, but for a young backup quarterback, they usually do not exceed his NFL earnings. Local deals can add to his total income, but the NFL checks are still the main source for most players at his career stage.

How much does he keep after taxes and fees?

It depends on where he plays, how much he pays in agent fees, and other deductions. A significant part of the gross number goes to taxes. Take-home pay can be far lower than the headline salary.

Step-by-Step Example: A Simple Way to Estimate a Season

Build Your Own Estimate

Here is a simple framework you can use to estimate any young NFL player’s pay when you know his weekly status by date:

1) Count the number of practice squad weeks. Multiply by the practice squad minimum for that season.

2) Count elevation weeks (not signed to the 53, but elevated for that game). Multiply each by the weekly prorated minimum for that season.

3) Count weeks on the 53-man roster. Multiply by the weekly prorated minimum for that season.

4) Add any signing bonus the player received when he signed his contract.

5) Later, add Performance-Based Pay once the league publishes the amounts for that season.

This method gives you a ballpark figure even if exact contract details are not public.

Tommy DeVito’s Career Outlook and Earnings Potential

Short Term

In the short term, DeVito’s salary will be tied to minimum-salary rules and roster status. If he sticks on the 53-man roster as a backup in 2024, he earns the minimum for his service time. If he is on the practice squad for part of the year, his total will reflect that mix. Performance-Based Pay could once again add to his income if he plays meaningful snaps.

Medium Term

If DeVito stays in the league and establishes himself as a reliable backup, his next contracts could rise above the minimum. Veteran backups can earn seven figures per year. That step usually comes after more time on active rosters, film that coaches trust, and consistent performance in practice and games.

Key Takeaways: How Much Does Tommy DeVito Make?

Short Answer

As an undrafted player early in his career, DeVito’s base pay follows the league minimum rules. In 2023, he earned a mix of practice squad weekly pay and active-roster weekly pay, likely totaling in the mid-to-high six figures before taxes, with potential Performance-Based Pay added later. In 2024, his income depends on his week-by-week status: full-time on the 53-man roster moves him toward the full 2024 minimum for his service time; practice squad weeks reduce that total but still pay a solid weekly amount.

What Moves the Needle Most

The single most important factor is how many weeks he spends on the 53-man roster versus the practice squad. Every active-roster week pays much more than a practice squad week. Game-day elevations increase pay for that week. Performance-Based Pay can boost the overall total after the season if he plays a lot of snaps.

Conclusion

Tommy DeVito’s salary story shows how NFL pay really works for young, undrafted players. There is no single number that explains it all. Instead, income comes from several pieces: practice squad weekly pay, active-roster weekly pay, small bonuses, and league programs like Performance-Based Pay. In 2023, DeVito earned a meaningful sum by moving from the practice squad to the starting lineup. In 2024, his earnings depend on his week-by-week status with the Giants. The more weeks he spends on the 53-man roster, the closer he gets to the full 2024 minimum for his service time.

If you want to follow his earnings in real time, watch roster updates. When he is on the active roster, his weekly pay jumps. If he is on the practice squad, he earns the practice squad rate. Add it up week by week, and you will see exactly how much Tommy DeVito makes—and why the number can change as fast as his role on Sundays.