Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Giants TE Darren Waller considered retirement

Giants tight end Darren Waller considered retiring after a disappointing 2023 season, the New York Post reported Friday.

He caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (11 starts) and New York finished 6-11 during his first season with the team. He missed five games with a hamstring injury.

Waller, 31, now wants to keep playing and the Giants want him back, despite his $14 million hit against the salary cap for 2024, per the report.

Waller is due a base salary of $10.5 million in 2024. He signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders in September 2022. New York acquired him from Las Vegas in March 2023 for third-round pick in last year’s draft.

He posted back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons with the Raiders in 2019 and 2020, making the Pro Bowl in the latter campaign.

Waller has 350 catches for 4,124 yards and 20 touchdowns in 86 games (63 starts) for the Baltimore Ravens (2015-16), Raiders (2018-22) and Giants.

–Field Level Media

Former Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly is the New York Giants' new tight ends coach.

Giants hire ex-Titans OC Tim Kelly to coach tight ends

The New York Giants hired former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to be their tight ends coach on Tuesday.

Kelly, 37, was fired last month after his second season on former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff. He was the passing-game coordinator for Tennessee in 2022.

He has 10 seasons of coaching experience in the NFL, including a stint as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans (2019-21). He joined the Texans in 2014 and coached their tight ends from 2017-18.

With New York, Kelly will look to improve a TE unit that managed only two touchdown catches — one each by Darren Waller and Lawrence Cager — during the 2023 season.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 31, 2023 -- Right tackle Tyre Phillips of the Giants had to be carted off the field in the second half.

Giants RT Tyre Phillips (torn quad) to have surgery

New York Giants starting right tackle Tyre Phillips will have surgery for a torn quadriceps muscle, head coach Brian Daboll confirmed Monday.

Phillips sustained the injury Sunday and was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of a 26-25 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in East Rutherford, N.J.

He played in 10 games this season (nine starts). A third-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2020, Phillips has played in 44 career games (27 starts) with the Ravens (2020-21) and Giants.

Phillips, 26, is set to become a free agent. New York (5-11) will close out the season at home this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5).

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford leading Rams’ playoff push, while Giants sort out QB position

The Los Angeles Rams will take their late-season playoff push to the East Coast with a key matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Rams enter with quarterback Matthew Stafford performing at a high level, while the Giants are in the midst of another QB change with Tyrod Taylor set to return into a starting role ahead of rookie Tommy DeVito.

The Rams (8-7) have won five of their last six games to climb out of a 3-6 hole and could clinch a playoff spot in Week 17 with a win and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A more indirect route is a Rams win and a tie in the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Packers.

Those scenarios were unthinkable when the Rams fell 20-3 to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 when Stafford was out with a thumb injury. A well-placed bye week came next, followed by Stafford’s high-level play starting in a Week 11 victory over the Seahawks.

Over the past six games, Stafford has completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.

“We’ve had (high) stakes since we came back from the bye (and) we earned the opportunity to be at this point,” Stafford said. “Just proud of the way these guys have put their head down, gone to work, trusted each other, and it’s showing up.”

Two seasons after Stafford helped Cooper Kupp to the wide-receiver triple crown, he is on the verge of helping Puka Nacua to a pair of rookie records. Nacua needs to catch nine more passes for the rookie receptions record. He needs 128 receiving yards for the Super Bowl-era rookie record and 146 yards for the all-time rookie record.

Kupp has 22 of his 55 receptions over the past three games, while Nacua has 19 over the same span.

And there have been more Stafford throws to go around, with Demarcus Robinson delivering season-bests of six receptions and 82 yards in a 30-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints last Thursday. He has a TD reception in four consecutive games.

The Rams’ emerging defense has allowed an average of 18.2 points per game over the past five wins.

The Giants (5-10) were on a three-game winning streak before a pair of losses knocked them out of playoff contention. In a 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Taylor replaced DeVito to open the second half and was 7 of 16 for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception. DeVito was 9 of 16 for 55 yards.

“I try to stay as level as possible through the highs and the lows,” Taylor said. “Life is a rollercoaster. How you endure the storms and how you endure the ups and downs speaks to your character. So try to remain the same.”

Taylor was 1-1 during a pair of October starts, then left in the second quarter of a 13-10 loss to the Jets on Oct. 29 with an injury to his ribs that required an overnight stay in a hospital. New York finished with minus-9 passing yards that day in wet and windy conditions.

“I’ve been playing this game for a long time, and anytime I get a chance to lace up the cleats and go out and compete means the world to me,” Taylor said. “That’s where I’m the happiest, and it’s what I love to do.”

The Rams are as healthy as they have been all season, with defensive back Tre’Vius Tomlinson (hamstring) and offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (foot) missing practice Wednesday. Noteboom is likely to play.

For the Giants, defensive back Deonte Banks (shoulder), tight end Lawrence Cager (groin) and defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), A’Shawn Robinson (back) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee) all were listed as “did not participate.” Running back Saquon Barkley (elbow) and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (quad) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) inactive vs. Giants

Philadelphia linebacker Nicholas Morrow has been ruled out for Monday’s home game against the New York Giants because of an abdomen issue.

Morrow did not practice all week and was listed as questionable on the injury report. He has started 10 of the 13 games he has played in his first season with the Eagles. Morrow, 28, has 70 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and three sacks, as well as one safety, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Philadelphia (10-4) already had ruled out Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson following thumb surgery, linebacker Zach Cunningham (knee) and cornerbacks Darius Slay (knee) and Avonte Maddox (pectoral).

Also on the inactive list are quarterback Tanner McKee, running back Rashaad Penny and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.

The Giants’ (5-9) inactive list is wide receiver Parris Campbell, safety Gervarrius Owens, center Sean Harlow, tight end Lawrence Cager, nose tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches and linebackers Boogie Basham and Benton Whitley.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) is shown after he won the first game he started in the NFL, 10-7, against the New England Patriots, Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Giants QB Tommy DeVito attends pizzeria event for free after squabble

Tommy DeVito’s fairy-tale NFL story added a less-flattering chapter this week when a New Jersey pizzeria canceled his appearance and claimed his agent tried to double the fee, but the New York Giants starting quarterback on Tuesday made for a happy ending.

DeVito, facing negative reaction after the story went viral online, made an appearance at no cost Tuesday at Coniglio’s Old Fashioned in Morristown, N.J., according to multiple media reports.

Coniglio’s had announced the cancellation on Sunday on Instagram after DeVito and the Giants lost 24-6 to the New Orleans Saints. DeVito, an undrafted rookie who grew up near the Giants’ home, MetLife Stadium, had risen in fame after leading the team to three straight victories, including a comeback 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers on “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 11.

Coniglio’s said that DeVito’s agent, Sean Stellato, raised the appearance fee from $10,000 to $20,000 after the win over the Packers.

“After last week’s win we received word from his agent that his appearance fee would be doubling (went from 10k to 20); We are a small family run business & decided $20,000 was a bit steep for 2 hours,” the pizzeria wrote in the post. “Apologies to anyone who had already purchased a ticket.”

Stellato told sports business reporter Darren Rovell that there was never a formal agreement.

“It’s a shame that the restaurant promoted that they would have Tommy when we didn’t have a signed contract,” he wrote Rovell in a text. “We didn’t raise the price because nothing was ever agreed to.”

The restaurant’s owner, Nino Coniglio, told Rovell: “We agreed in principle to terms — two hours, 250 autographs and $10,000, and then the agent couldn’t be reached. He reached back out after Monday’s game to tell us the price was now $20,000.”

Rovell posted a screenshot to social media of a text exchange that Coniglio provided with Stellato referencing the $10,000 fee.

DeVito vaulted from practice squad player to QB1 after injuries to starter Daniel Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor. DeVito has completed 103 of 160 passes for 1,032 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

He is earning the rookie-minimum $750,000 this season.

The Giants (5-9) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) on Christmas Day.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr spreads wealth as Saints roll past Giants

Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes and the host New Orleans Saints did not allow a touchdown in a 24-6 victory against the visiting New York Giants on Sunday afternoon.

Carr completed 23 of 28 passes for 218 yards and connected with 10 different receivers, including three different targets for scores. Alvin Kamara contributed 66 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards on five receptions for the Saints (7-7).

Giants rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, who left the game briefly to be checked for a concussion before returning, completed 20 of 34 passes for 177 yards as New York (5-9) saw its three-game winning streak end.

New York gained just 193 total yards, including 60 rushing, and the Saints delivered a season-high seven sacks.

On the first possession of the third quarter the Saints scored on Carr’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson to increase their lead to 14-6.

Blake Grupe kicked a 50-yard field goal to expand the lead to 17-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Carr threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham, who caught a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game, as New Orleans opened a 24-6 lead with 10:47 remaining.

On the game’s first possession, the Giants got Randy Bullock’s 56-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead, but Bullock injured a hamstring on the kick.

Carr completed all five of his passes on a first-quarter drive for 49 yards, the last 7 of which came on a touchdown to Keith Kirkwood, as the 68-yard drive gave the Saints a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second-quarter was scoreless when DeVito was shaken up on a scramble and he was replaced by Tyrod Taylor, who completed 2 of 4 passes for 13 yards in his first action since a rib injury in a 13-10 loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 29.

Punter Jamie Gillan replaced Bullock and kicked a 40-yard field as time expired in the first half, trimming New Orleans’ lead to 7-6.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) reacts before the game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Giants’ Brian Daboll: QB Tommy DeVito’s personality big factor

In the month since Tommy DeVito took over as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants, his personality has gotten a lot of attention from adoring fans — and coach Brian Daboll says that personality is one reason he’s sticking with “Tommy Cutlets.”

“He has a good way about him, I’d say, one, as a leader, which I think is important. He can connect with all of his teammates,” Daboll said Tuesday.

“Some of the relationships he has and the things he does during practice with a guy like (defensive lineman) A’Shawn (Robinson), or then he’s over there talking to the offensive linemen, or then he comes back… He’s a pretty personable guy that I think keeps his head down. He did what he was supposed to do. … But I think the players respect how he handles himself as a person, too, and his personality.”

A native of New Jersey who brought a state championship to powerhouse Don Bosco Prep High School, DeVito, 25, has quickly become a favorite of local fans who can’t seem to get enough of the kid whose Italian mom still cooks him “Tommy Cutlets” in his childhood home before he suits up for the Giants.

DeVito entered back-to-back games in late October after injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor before starting against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 12. That was a 49-17 road loss, but Daboll saw enough good to keep DeVito in the starting QB slot since then.

DeVito has completed 65.9 percent of his passes (83 of 126) for 697 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in six appearances this season. He was 17-for-21 for 158 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 71 yards on 10 carries in the Giants’ late win over the Green Bay Packers, 24-22, on Monday night.

“It’s not always going to be perfect, but when people see him in here and working, he’s really just done what we’ve asked him to do, and it’s really important to him. He loves the game of football,” Daboll said.

“I think when you deal with the guy, I don’t think he makes it bigger than it is, either. It’s football. Obviously, it’s the highest level, and there’s different things and coverages and he’s going to get tested, and one week you could be up, one week you could be down.

At 5-8, the Giants have not been ruled out of the playoffs yet but they visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday needing to keep DeVito’s momentum and team-building going.

“But what I do appreciate is the players and the coaches sticking together, working through things, having a strong commitment to improve, being good teammates,” Daboll said. “Those are all important things for all of us, regardless of what position you’re at, to be able to do those things.”

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ     October 22, 2023 -- Daniel Jones of the Giants on the sidelines in the second half. The NY Giants host the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 22, 2023.

Giants QB Daniel Jones recovering after ACL surgery

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had successful surgery to repair his torn right ACL on Wednesday morning.

The team said the procedure was performed by Dr. Scott Rodeo at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery.

The knee surgery came 17 days after Jones sustained the season-ending injury in a 30-6 loss at Las Vegas.

Jones, 26, said he anticipates a recovery period of eight to 10 months. Training camp is eight months away.

“So we’ll attack that and approach that, work on that day by day and try to get back as fast as I can,” Jones said on the “Up & Adams Show” on Tuesday.

Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract in the offseason, finished with two touchdown passes and six interceptions in six games this season. He missed three games with a neck injury.

Jones is 22-36-1 as a starter with 62 touchdown passes and 40 picks in 60 games (59 starts) since being drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in 2019.

–Field Level Media