Denver Broncos release quarterback Ben DiNucci
The Denver Broncos made a roster cut on Wednesday, releasing former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci. DiNucci spent the 2023 NFL season on the Broncos practice squad after going through a similar sign and release last offseason. He was the third quarterback on the roster behind Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham – then the team drafted Bo Nix out of Oregon with the No. 12 overall pick.
The Broncos could pick DiNucci back up for the practice squad if he doesn’t find another active roster situation. Last year, in Denver’s 41-0 preseason win over the L.A. Rams, DiNucci went 11-for-15 for 117 yards and one touchdown. The team ultimately waived him when it came time to make the 53-man roster cut before the start of the regular season.
Following his release, DiNucci took to social media to announce the news. He also wrote: “Excited for what’s to come.”
DiNucci out in Denver following Bo Nix addition
The Dallas Cowboys drafted DiNucci in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his limited playing time on the field during the 2020 season with Dak Prescott injured, he made one start and appeared in three games for Dallas. DiNucci received the opportunity to start in 2020 after Andy Dalton was injured as well but had a very rough start against the Philadelphia Eagles. The next week, Dallas opted to start Garrett Gilbert in his place.
The Cowboys cut DiNucci after the final round of releases in the 2022 offseason. He finished his Dallas career with an 0-1 record, 23-of-43 passes completed for 219 yards and zero touchdowns.
The former Pitt quarterback saw early college action in the 2017 season where he played 10 games for the Panthers. He finished his Pitt career with 1,107 passing yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions before transferring to James Madison.
As a senior, DiNucci completed 268-of-378 attempts for 3,441 yards and 29 touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed for 569 yards and seven touchdowns. It was enough for the Cowboys to throw down a seventh-round pick for him.
Could a reunion be in order for Dallas and DiNucci? It seems unlikely. Behind Prescott, the team has backup QB Cooper Rush, and former first-round pick Trey Lance as his understudy. Though some speculated ahead of the draft that they would add another to their ranks, the team didn’t pick up any quarterbacks during the draft or in the post-draft undrafted free agent signing rush.