Payton: Broncos QB Ben DiNucci 'Someone We Want to Work With'

Former Dallas Cowboys and XFL quarterback Ben DiNucci earned a contract with the Denver Broncos after impressing team brass during a May rookie minicamp tryout.

And to hear head coach Sean Payton tell it, there are distinct reasons — plural — as to why "Gucci" DiNucci is entering the preseason competing for Denver's backup job.

"His ability to get in the huddle, out of the huddle, execute the play, get to the right receiver, and distribute the ball," Payton said Wednesday on the soft-opening of training camp. "[There is] nothing really flashy. He’s a good decision-maker, and he’s pretty accurate. You know exactly what you’re getting, and his decisions and football IQ are really strong. Those are some things that sometimes you can’t appreciate until you have a preseason game, and you have a young quarterback and the clock’s ticking. There’s a calmness, a demeanor, and a little bit more experience with him—although he’s still young. I do see the arm talent and the athleticism, so [he is] someone we want to work with.”

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A 2020 seventh-round pick out of James Madison, DiNucci, 26, spent his first two seasons with the Cowboys, appearing in three games while yo-yo-ing between the active roster and practice squad. He was waived by Dallas last August and allocated to the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons three months later.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound signal-caller made quick work of football's minor league, 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.

Comparable to ex-Broncos QB Chad Kelly, DiNucci plays with a gunslinging mentality that can hurt him as much as it helps. This high-risk, high-reward style was exemplified amid his aforementioned workout when DiNucci tossed a pick-six to rookie linebacker Drew Sanders — directly in front of Payton and team CEO Greg Penner.

“I was telling Greg before practice how this Ben DiNucci was doing well," Payton said on May 13. "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).'"

Neither DiNucci's error nor Payton's light ribbing ultimately affected the depth chart. In fact, DiNucci now has better odds of cracking the final roster (or at least the practice squad) following Tuesday's release of QB Jarrett Guarantano.

Standing in his way remains fellow new arrival Jarrett Stidham, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract in March free agency. Stidham, also handpicked by the current regime, has more NFL experience than DiNucci and thus is considered the favorite to hold the clipboard behind Russell Wilson.

But the battle might not be as one-sided as previously imagined.

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