At 2-10, all the New York Giants have to play for at this point is pride, as they're in the midst of another disastrous season. While expectations weren't too high considering they said goodbye to their two best players on both sides of the ball, I don't think many envisioned this season would see Big Blue not only cut ties with franchise quarterback Daniel Jones but also endure a seven-game losing streak.
With five games remaining in the regular season, these games will primarily focus on evaluating the players they have right now and determining whether they have a future on the team next season and beyond. While there are countless holes Joe Schoen and the Giants' front office must address, it's these five players on this current GMEN squad who are running out of time to prove their worth in New York for the long haul.
5 New York Giants players running out of time to prove their worth
5. Daniel Bellinger, TE
The Giants have been thin at the tight end position and have lacked consistent production for quite some time. After the Darren Waller experiment failed in 2023, the Giants drafted Theo Johnson in the fourth round to pair with third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. While Johnson has shown promise during his rookie season, his campaign has now been cut short due to a season-ending foot injury. This opens the door for Bellinger to step up in Johnson's absence.
Bellinger strung together two decent seasons for New York at the tight end position, recording over 25 receptions and 250 yards in both 2022 and 2023. However, 2024 has been nothing short of disastrous for the 24-year-old. With just three receptions for 31 yards and no touchdowns, Bellinger’s lack of impact should serve as a wake-up call. Especially after the drafting of Johnson, who has already showcased his potential in limited action as a rookie.
Now, with Johnson sidelined for the rest of the season, Bellinger must prove he has a future with the Giants beyond 2024. The team has been searching for their next Jeremy Shockey for years. While no one expects Bellinger to become that level of playmaker, significant strides are needed from him in the remaining games to solidify his place on the roster.
4. Tommy DeVito, QB
Not long ago, Tommy DeVito became an unsung hero for the Giants. While he is most likely not the franchise quarterback for Big Blue, he still has the opportunity to prove he can be a solid backup for whoever the Giants’ starter will be next season. That’s why he needs to show that the mini-run he put together last season was no fluke.
DeVito, or "Tommy Cutlets" as he was affectionately called, provided a spark for the Giants' offense in 2023 during a disappointing season. The undrafted quarterback won three straight games in late November and early December, throwing for 1,110 yards and eight touchdowns with just three interceptions in six starts. His most notable win came in Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers, where he led the offense down the field to set up the game-winning field goal.
Since that three-game win streak, however, DeVito has lost his last three starts. His most recent outing came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the Giants managed just 245 yards of total offense and seven points. It remains unclear if Drew Lock has the starting job from here on out, but if DeVito gets the call, either then or later in the season, he must prove that while he may not be starting-caliber, he can be a reliable backup option in the NFL.