Tyrod Taylor barely spoke above a whisper. He took long, deliberate pauses, contemplating his thoughts and subsequent comments. He wore his crestfallen emotion on his face.
Despite returning to health and once again being ready to play, Taylor will not return as the starter.
The Giants designated Taylor to return from the injured list on Monday and opened his 21-day practice window.
He had missed the previous four games with a rib injury he suffered during the Giants’ 13-10 loss to the Jets on Oct. 29.
But it will be Tommy DeVito once again quarterbacking the Giants for their “Monday Night Football” clash against the Packers, and unless plans change, for the rest of the season — not Taylor, head coach Brian Daboll announced Tuesday afternoon.
Though he was diplomatic, Taylor was obviously upset by the decision.
“It’s tough, obviously as a competitor, not being able to go out there once healthy, it hurts,” Taylor said Tuesday. “But at the same time, it’s the nature of the business. … It’s tough. It’s disappointing, but it’s also out of my control.”
Was he surprised?
“No comment,” Taylor said, revealing afterwards that he couldn’t remember the last time he declined comment to a question.
DeVito has started the last three games and owns a 2-1 record as a starter, leading the Giants to back-to-back wins over the Commanders and Patriots before their bye week.
An undrafted rookie and New Jersey native, he’s completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
His youthful energy has injected new life into an otherwise dead Giants season, and his raised, folded hand celebration in homage to his Italian heritage has helped him begin to win over fans’ hearts.
“It’s kind of fun,” receiver Darius Slayton, who has caught passes from both Taylor and DeVito, told The Post about playing with DeVito. “He’s a likable kid. I think we all want to see him win and do well. For me at least, I’ve enjoyed him being able to have this chance to have his time in the sun. … I think he has a lot of natural confidence. He’s probably made it a much smoother transition than what it’d normally be.
“He has a sneaky whip, he has a violent arm action. The ball comes out with some juice. I think his confidence shows, too. He made some pretty ballsy throws the past two games he’s played. Throws that a lot of people in his position might not even attempt.”
But Taylor is in the final year of a two-year, $11 million contract and was signed to significant money with the idea he’d be a strong backup option behind Daniel Jones, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Taylor, 34, is set to be a free agent after the season and is unlikely to be back next year, while DeVito is in the process of trying to prove he can be a viable NFL quarterback and possibly the team’s backup next year.
With the Giants two games out of the final playoff spot and their faint playoff hopes technically still alive, Daboll is steadfast that DeVito gives them the best chance to win and that the decision was based on merit, not long-term evaluation.
“Every decision we make is for that reason,” Daboll said. “Tommy’s done a good job, he’s improved each of the games he’s played. Thought he’s played well the last two games, made good decisions, was accurate with the football, earned the right to play.”
DeVito said he was told of the decision on Monday, and Daboll praised Taylor’s handling of the news.
“[Taylor’s] like my brother now,” DeVito said. “If it would’ve went the other way, which I’m sure it could’ve, I would’ve been right there supporting him like he is of me. That’s the relationship we’ve built this far.”
Taylor is certainly accustomed to the situation he now finds himself in.
He previously lost his starting job with the Chargers in 2020 after a team doctor allegedly punctured his lung accidentally while giving him a painkilling injection for two cracked ribs, forcing him to be sidelined. The Chargers started rookie Justin Herbert in his place, and Taylor never regained his job.
Before that, he lost his starting role with the Browns in 2018 after suffering a concussion, paving the way for rookie Baker Mayfield to take his job.
Now after enduring four broken ribs, it’s happened again.
“I don’t know if there’s fair in this business,” Taylor said. “Some stuff happens that’s out of your control and unfortunately this is one of them.”
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