Sean Payton Sends Message to Broncos' Try-Out QB With Cruel Joke
On Saturday, amid rookie minicamp, the Denver Broncos held try-outs for several players. One of them was XFL passing leader, and former Dallas Cowboys draft pick, Ben DiNucci.
'Gucci' DiNucci, as he's known colloquially, did enough in the XFL to get Broncos head coach Sean Payton's attention and earn an invite to Denver. However, it would take a lot to keep Payton's attention.
It's hard to say whether DiNucci pulled it off, but at least he made enough of an impression — good or bad — to be the subject of one of Payton's funniest (and cruelest) lines of the day after the coach was asked about the big interception made by third-round linebacker Drew Sanders.
“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).’"
That's more gallows humor than anything, as DiNucci is fighting for his pro football life. So, either Payton is extraordinarily cruel — and funny — or he likes DiNucci, and knows he won't be greeting at Walmart because he'll be playing backup quarterback in Denver. After all, Payton said DiNucci was "doing well."
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound DiNucci was Dallas' seventh-round draft pick in 2020 out of James Madison University. He's only 26 years old.
After flaming out in Dallas, DiNucci caught on with the Seattle Sea Dragons, where he went on to lead the XFL in attempts (374), completions (272), passing yards (2,671), QB rushing yards (305), and finishing second in passing touchdowns (23) across 10 starts (seven wins). He also tossed a league-high 13 interceptions.
Payton is a QB whisperer. If he sees something in DiNucci, then there's probably something there. We'll know in due time what fate awaits the young signal-caller. Let's hope that even if he doesn't work out as a Bronco, greeting customers at Walmart is not in his future.
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