After a season in which quarterback Russell Wilson struggled, the team brought in XFL star Ben DiNucci this offseason to help secure their depth chart.
However, based on the way new head coach Sean Payton is motivating his new arrival, it might be a tough road ahead.
Payton told reporters that he didn’t mince words with his new quarterback after a particularly bad play during practice last week.
The Broncos coach was explaining that DiNucci threw an interception to third-round pick Drew Sanders in front of new Broncos part-owner and CEO Greg Penner, which was not the best first impression in the world.
Sean Payton on Drew Sanders pick 6 off DiNucci. #9sports pic.twitter.com/aSwHaO3z5C
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) May 13, 2023
“Unfortunately for Ben DiNucci it was his first interception,” Payton said. “And there was more to that interception if you looked at it. It was a good play by Sanders. It was right in front of 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.’”
While the comment was almost certainly meant in jest, this is DiNucci’s latest opportunity to try and make it in the NFL and there’s probably enough pressure on his shoulders to perform without being reminded what happens if he doesn’t play well this summer.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.