Report: Broncos to Sign QB Ben DiNucci After Tryout
In spite of some ribbing from his new coach, tryout quarterback Ben DiNucci left Denver Broncos rookie minicamp with a contract in hand.
Per multiple media reports, the Broncos on Sunday agreed to sign DiNucci — one of two former XFL players to put pen to paper, joining running back Jacque Patrick. The deals are expected to become official Monday, pending physicals.
A 2020 seventh-round pick out of James Madison, DiNucci spent two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in three games while vacillating between the active roster and practice squad. He was waived by Dallas last August.
DiNucci was allocated to the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons three months later. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound signal-caller made quick work of the upstart promotion, finishing tops in attempts (374), completions (272), passing yards (2,671), QB rushing yards (305), and second in passing touchdowns (23) across 10 starts (seven wins). He also tossed a league-high 13 interceptions.
DiNucci's high-risk, high-reward playstyle carried into his Broncos audition whereupon the 26-year-old tossed a pick-six to rookie linebacker Drew Sanders. The turnover drew a pointed (but lighthearted) assessment from HC Sean Payton.
“Unfortunately for Ben DiNucci, it was his first interception and there was more to that interception if you looked at it," Payton said. "It was good play by Sanders and it was right in front of [Owner & CEO] Greg Penner. I was telling Greg before practice how this Ben DiNucci was doing well. I told Ben—I said, ‘You know, he owns Walmart. If it doesn't work out here, I’m sure there’s a greeting opportunity somewhere at one of his local stores (laughs).'"
Fortunately for DiNucci, the error did not torpedo his opportunity to join Denver's offseason roster, as he'll now likely compete with Jarrett Guarantano for third-string duties behind Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.
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