The Denver Broncos cut former seventh-round draft pick and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci in May 2024. It was his second time leaving an organization. It also began a trend that continued with his noteworthy announcement about his latest release.
DiNucci has acted as his own PR service, announcing his career path and plans as they take place. He recently announced that he was signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
After his release days later, DiNucci garnered attention with his reaction of grabbing a beer.
“I have been relieved of my duties in Atlanta. They no longer need my services,” DiNucci posted on X on August 23. “Stay tuned … Career update coming this week [eyes looking emoji].”
“Not many beers better than the airport ‘I just got cut from the NFL for the 7th time’ beer,” DiNucci said in another post. “Trust me, you wouldn’t understand.”
The 28-year-old QB was the No. 231 overall pick of the 2020 draft. He has appeared in three games during the regular season, completing 53.5% of his passes for 219 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
DiNucci spent 2024 with the Seattle Sea Dragons in the USFL after the Broncos cut him.
Broncos QB Expected to Join Ben DiNucci in Free Agency
GettyJarrett Stidham #8 and Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
DiNucci threw for 187 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs on 67.7% completion during the 2023 preseason with the Broncos. The veteran has also had stops with the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. He went 0-for-2 in his lone appearance with the Falcons this preseason.
The Falcons already have starter Michael Penix, backup Kirk Cousins, and veteran Easton Stick on their roster, making DiNucci expendable.
Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger could find himself in a similar situation.
[Broncos head coach Sean] Payton said on numerous occasions before last year’s cuts that Zach Wilson would be kept as a third quarterback on the 53-man roster. There have been no such proclamations made about Sam Ehlinger leading up to this year’s deadline. That alone doesn’t mean the Broncos won’t once again keep three quarterbacks, but this year’s roster is more talented and keeping a third quarterback would mean getting rid of a player Denver is more likely to need at some point in the season,” The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider wrote on August 23.
“The Broncos should still be able to get Ehlinger back to their practice squad. They like what he brings to the quarterback room and would like to keep developing him in their offense.”
“[Jarrett] Stidham romped through the preseason (30-of-38 passing for 376 yards and four touchdown passes in the first two games), but Nix has moved through the offseason and camp as the unquestioned starter,” ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote on August 23. “Payton likes Sam Ehlinger’s athleticism and competitiveness, so the fourth-year veteran is a practice squad possibility.
Ehlinger, 26, completed 74.4% of his throws for 282 yards, but he threw 1 pick to 0 touchdowns in three appearances. A sixth-round selection (No. 218 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, Ehlinger has a 573-3-3 line on 63.4% completion.
Both current and former Broncos QBs, Ehlinger and Stidham, could be competing for the same roster spot with another organization at some point in the near future.
Broncos QB Situation Has Come Long Way
GettyBo Nix #10 and Denver Broncos offensive pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb share a laugh after facing the Arizona Cardinals.
DiNucci’s exit was part of a transition the Broncos’ quarterback room underwent after years of uncertainty thanks to Nix’s arrival. That there have been no declarations about a third quarterback or even a true challenger brought in for Stidham speaks volumes.
The Broncos started 12 different quarterbacks between Nix, the No. 12 overall pick of the 2024 draft, and Peyton Manning, who retired after the 2015 season.
Manning was the last Broncos QB to lead the team to 10 or more wins and the postseason.
Nix also set numerous Broncos rookie passing records. He also made NFL history with his TD connection with former Oregon Ducks teammate and Denver wide receiver Troy Franklin in the 2024 AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.
The Broncos are unlikely to be DiNucci’s next home. That just further speaks to how much they believe in Nix and Stidham.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former Broncos QB Draws Attention With Eyebrow-Raising Announcement appeared first on Heavy Sports.