The Denver Broncos recently sent a minicamp invitation to XFL standout and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci. They must have liked what they saw, as they decided to officially sign him on Sunday.
DiNucci played for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL this season and was largely impressive in his appearances. He led the XFL in passing yards with 2,671 in ten regular season games.
This along with his mini-camp performance in Denver was seemingly enough to get back into the NFL. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that the Broncos are officially signing him.
Broncos are signing former XFL standout QB Ben Dinucci after his performance at the teams’s minicamp.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 14, 2023
Many around the NFL world took to social media and offered their opinion on this move by the Broncos.
Ben DiNucci is back on an NFL roster after signing with the Denver Broncos pic.twitter.com/G9p6QI0i3W
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) May 14, 2023
Let’s go Ben DiNucci, good for him! https://t.co/IDgafT0CXb
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) May 14, 2023
Ben DiNucci: 267.1 yards per game to lead XFL in 1st season there
Russell Wilson: 234.9 YPG to end Nathaniel Hackett’s head-coaching career in his first Denver season
🤷♂️ Just sayin https://t.co/8TMCauAUDa
— Draft Sharks 🦈 (@DraftSharks) May 14, 2023
Ben DiNucci impressed, it seems! 🤌 https://t.co/NbTJUKj81i
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) May 14, 2023
Former Pitt and Pine-Richland QB Ben DiNucci is signing with the Broncos. https://t.co/5RgbUAZieR
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) May 14, 2023
Former #Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci is signing with the #Broncos after trying out at their minicamp, per his agent @JLSports3. He was the starting QB for the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons… and is now back in the NFL.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 14, 2023
DiNucci will bring some more depth at the quarterback position for the Broncos behind starter Russell Wilson. He will try and earn the No. 2 quarterback job from former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback, Jarrett Stidham.
Denver likely hopes that it doesn’t come to playing either DiNucci or Stidham during the regular season. However, if last season is any indication they should stay ready to potentially be called upon to start.
Wilson struggled heavily in his first season in Denver, throwing for a career-low completion percentage and touchdowns on the year. The team also went 4-11 in games that Wilson started last year.
It remains to be seen if Wilson will play better under new head coach Sean Payton. However, if he does struggle Payton could have a short leash and potentially bench him far quicker than Nathaniel Hackett did.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.