Kofi Inkoom
Ben DiNucci’s return to the NFL took place in Denver, where the Broncos decided to give him another chance after his stint as a backup for the Cowboys and later as a starter in the XFL. However, with the team revamping its quarterback lineup in 2024, their plans for DiNucci have changed.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Broncos will release DiNucci from their roster. This decision comes after the Broncos drafted Zach Wilson and Bo Nix during the recent draft week, and Jarrett Stidham remains part of the team. With DiNucci’s departure, Denver will now have three quarterbacks on their 90-man roster.
DiNucci joined the Broncos in May 2023, coming from a season in the third iteration of the XFL. During his time with the Seattle Sea Dragons, he led the league in passing yards with 2,671, throwing 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 10 starts. His performance caught the attention of NFL teams, leading to his signing with the Broncos, where he remained throughout the last season. In January, Denver secured DiNucci with a reserve/futures contract.
The Broncos showed their commitment to DiNucci when he decided to stay with the team instead of joining the Saints’ active roster. Despite an offer from New Orleans following a Derek Carr injury,
DiNucci opted to stay as the emergency third-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Stidham. Although he was elevated to the active roster three times by the Broncos, he would have been required to stay on the Saints’ active roster for at least three weeks to receive game checks had he chosen to go to New Orleans.
DiNucci last played in the regular season in 2020 for the Cowboys, but he had preseason appearances with the Broncos last year. While the Broncos may need a fourth quarterback at some point in the offseason, their current options are all healthy.
The development of Nix will be crucial for Denver’s upcoming season, and the coaching staff will focus on preparing Wilson in Sean Payton’s system. With this move, Stidham becomes the only Denver quarterback with prior experience in the team’s current scheme.
Originally a seventh-round pick by the Cowboys from James Madison University, DiNucci spent the 2022 season without a team after being released by Dallas. Although he could draw interest from the United Football League, the season is already well underway. Not being claimed on waivers could hinder DiNucci’s career progression.