Denver Broncos backup quarterback Ben DiNucci took to Twitter/X with a confession on Wednesday.
“Can’t lie,” the QB wrote on his social media page. “I miss the XFL.”
DiNucci, 27, played in the XFL for the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023. After he led the league in passing yards (2,671) and ranked second in touchdown passes (20), DiNucci signed with the Broncos. He served as a reserve QB on Denver’s practice squad last year.
DiNucci will likely have a similar backup role in 2024. Meanwhile, the XFL and USFL have merged to join the UFL. Over the last three weeks, 23 former Broncos players have played in the UFL, and DiNucci seems to have a minor case of FOMO.
When asked by a fan if he would consider playing in the UFL again, DiNucci said if he knew his NFL career was over, he’d return to spring football. He’d already be playing in the spring league if he wasn’t employed by Denver.
“Trust me… if I didn’t have a job in the NFL I would be playing again,” DiNucci tweeted on Wednesday evening.
What if it was possible to do both?
Some fans suggested that the NFL adopt the UFL as a developmental league, allowing players to play spring football and then return to the NFL clubs for the start of the offseason program. DiNucci loves the idea.
That kind of format “benefits guys in my position big time,” DiNucci tweeted. “Reps are hardest thing to come by playing QB. Getting 12 games of tape last year was huge.”
DiNucci believes playing in both leagues is feasible.
1000%. Think if every NFL team could send their practice squad to UFL after the season and claim them back before OTAs start in the summer
— Ben DiNucci (@B_DiNucci6) April 17, 2024
NFL Europe did not last, but there have been talks in recent years of the NFL attempting to implement a developmental league again. If the UFL proves to be a sustainable league, perhaps the NFL will consider a partnership at some point in the future.
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