Tag: Ben Dinucci

Broncos waive quarterback Ben DiNucci

The Broncos have cut QB Ben DiNucci. If he clears waivers, DiNucci will likely be a practice squad target.

The Denver Broncos have waived quarterback Ben DiNucci, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported on Tuesday morning.

DiNucci went 21-of-31 passing (67.7%) for 187 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in preseason. He also rushed five times for 23 yards.

DiNucci, 26, was a backup with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2022 before playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL this spring. DiNucci got an opportunity with the Broncos this summer after he led the XFL in passing yards (2,671) and ranked second in touchdown passes (20),

Unless they claim a quarterback off waivers from another team, this presumably means that coach Sean Payton plans to only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster this season (Russell Wilson and backup Jarrett Stidham).

If he clears waivers, DiNucci will undoubtedly be a top candidate to return on the practice squad. While on the practice squad, DiNucci would be eligible to be elevated to the game-day roster three times during the season.

We are tracking all of the Broncos’ roster cuts on this page.

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Broncos stock up/down: Risers and fallers after second preseason game

The Broncos showed more signs of life against the 49ers. Here’s where things stand.

For the second time in as many weeks, the Denver Broncos found themselves snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, losing their second preseason game of 2023 by a score of 21-20 against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. We take a look at five risers and fallers from the game.

3 takeaways from Broncos’ 18-17 loss to Cardinals

Broncos Country, do you agree with these takeaways?

The Denver Broncos suffered a last-minute loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in their first preseason game of 2023 on Friday evening. Here are three takeaways from the first action of 2023 for the Broncos.

Broncos lose to Cardinals 18-17 in preseason thriller

Third-string quarterback Ben DiNucci showed real promise on the go-ahead drive with 90 seconds left, but the Cardinals won in the end.

The Denver Broncos’ first preseason game under new head coach Sean Payton was a tough one, an 18-17 loss against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday evening.

Earlier in the week, Payton said that the Broncos’ offensive starters would go 15-18 plays. Instead, the offensive starters recorded 22 plays over four drives. Quarterback Russell Wilson eventually threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the second quarter to make the game 7-0.

Denver’s starting defense did not allow any points in three drives, and fourth-year defensive back Essang Bassey intercepted Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune on Arizona’s second drive of the night.

The Broncos kicking game was extremely rocky. Brett Maher missed a 47-yarder early in the game, as well as having a 52-yarder blocked in the third quarter. Maher did make the extra point after the Jeudy touchdown. Elliott Fry missed a 50-yarder in the second quarter, but made a 55-yarder to make the game 10-0 right before halftime.

The Cardinals fought back with 10 points in the second half, with a Matt Prater field goal after Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw an interception, and a 10-play drive resulting in a Tune touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Third-string quarterback Ben DiNucci gave Denver one more chance to win the game, with a valiant 10-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a Jaleel McLaughlin four-yard touchdown with 90 seconds left.

However, the Cardinals would not go down easy. Quarterback David Blough helped Arizona down the field, throwing an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Brian Cobbs. Arizona finished it off with a two-point conversion with two seconds left, taking a one-point lead.

Hopefully, this is not a harbinger of things to come, as the Broncos were 3-7 in one-score games in 2022.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton praises QB Ben DiNucci’s composure

“He’s a good decision-maker, and he’s pretty accurate … his decisions and football IQ are really strong,” Sean Payton said of Ben DiNucci.

Compared to starter Russell Wilson and QB2 Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci is perceived as a young, inexperienced quarterback.

Stidham is a former fourth-round pick and he’s been in the NFL since 2019. Believe it or not, DiNucci is the same age as Stidham (26) and his pro career began in 2020. DiNucci also has one regular-season start on his resume.

DiNucci is a former seventh-round pick and while he’s not as high-profile as Stidham, DiNucci handles himself like a veteran at practice.

“[We like] his ability to get in the huddle, out of the huddle, execute the play, get to the right receiver, and distribute the ball,” Payton said after practice on July 26. “[There is] nothing really flashy. He’s a good decision-maker, and he’s pretty accurate. You know exactly what you’re getting, and his decisions and football IQ are really strong.

“Those are some things that sometimes you can’t appreciate until you have a preseason game, and you have a young quarterback and the clock’s ticking. There’s a calmness, a demeanor, and a little bit more experience with him — although he’s still young. I do see the arm talent and the athleticism, so [he is] someone we want to work with.”

DiNucci only has one career start in the NFL, but he started 10 games with the Seattle Sea Dragons this spring and led the XFL with 2,671 passing yards while scoring 20 touchdowns. He’s not challenging for the starting job in Denver, but DiNucci might rank among the best third-string QBs in the league.

With the backing of Payton, DiNucci will be an intriguing backup QB prospect to monitor going forward.

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Ben DiNucci posts perfect tweet after first camp practice with Broncos

“Anyone out there who reads this who has dreams of making it the NFL one day, trust your journey,” the QB wrote. “Everyone’s is different!”

Ben DiNucci has had quite a football journey.

The 26-year-old quarterback started his college career at Pittsburgh before later transferring to James Madison. He was then picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.

DiNucci spent two years with the Cowboys, starting one game as an injury fill-in during the 2020 COVID season. He was waived following training camp in 2022 and spent last year out of football.

DiNucci then played in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons this spring and he led the league in passing yards (2,671) and ranked second in touchdown passes (20). After starring in the XFL, DiNucci signed with the Broncos in May.

DiNucci is now entering the 2023 season as Denver’s third-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. After the team’s light ramp-up practice on Wednesday, DiNucci shared a perfect tweet about his football journey.

“Anyone out there who reads this who has dreams of making it the NFL one day, trust your journey,” the QB tweeted. “Everyone’s is different !!!”

Broncos fans will get their first look at DiNucci on the practice field when the team holds its first open practice of the summer on Friday.

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Broncos position preview for 2023: Quarterback

Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham are locked in for the top two spots. Who will be the Broncos’ third-string QB in 2023?

As we wrap up our position preview series for the Denver Broncos ahead of training camp and the 2023 season, we’re down to the final — and most important — position on the team: quarterback.

The Broncos are bringing back Russell Wilson and he will remain the team’s starting quarterback. Denver also brought in Jarrett Stidham this offseason to serve as the team’s new QB2, replacing Brett Rypien.

Where things get interesting on the depth chart is the QB3 job. Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Guarantano will compete for that role this summer, and the winner might end up on the practice squad.

Before camp begins at the team’s Centura Health Training Center next month, here’s a quick look at our projected quarterback depth chart for the Broncos.

Be sure to also check out our 2023 position previews for running back, tight end/fullback, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback, safety and special teams.

Predicting the Broncos’ 16-player practice squad for 2023

Yes, it’s early, but here’s our 16-player practice squad prediction for the Broncos this season.

We had to make several tough (hypothetical) cuts when we published our 53-man roster prediction for the Denver Broncos earlier this week.

Fortunately, thanks to the NFL’s rules that allow a certain amount of veterans on each practice squad, every player the Broncos cut this summer will be eligible for the practice squad.

Combined with the 53-man active roster, the 16-player practice squad will give Denver 69 total players on their books for the 2023 season (plus any players on injured reserve).

Today, we have a quick list of 16 names to watch for as potential practice squad candidates this summer. All of these players were cut in our 53-man roster prediction.

Broncos Wire podcast: QB news and NFL schedule notes

Which games are you most looking forward to on the Broncos’ schedule? The guys discuss that and more on this week’s podcast. Listen in!

The Denver Broncos have a new quarterback!

OK, not a new starting quarterback, but a new QB nonetheless. Denver signed Ben DiNucci from the XFL earlier this week.

The Broncos also brought back safety Kareem Jackson, and the NFL announced the team’s 2023 schedule last week. I joined host Ryan O’Leary and Broncos Wire contributor Brandon Walker on this week’s podcast to discuss those topics and more.

You can listen to episode No. 80 below:

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Our unedited notes for this week’s pod can be seen below. 

Free agent news: Kareem Jackson returns, XFL QB signs 
Javonte Williams ready for training camp? 
  • Payton said he expects Williams (knee; ACL/LCL) to be ready for the start of training camp — the team is hopeful Williams won’t have to start camp on the physically unable to perform list.
  • That would be extremely surprising to me, but great news if it really is the case. Would explain why Denver hasn’t added another name RB if they think Williams will be fine by Week 1.
  • Mid-season bye in Week 9.
  • The Broncos have four prime-time games: TNF @ Chiefs in Week 6, MNF @ Bills in Week 10, SNF vs. Vikings in Week 11 and Christmas Eve (NFL Network) vs. Patriots in Week 16.
  • No international game — after the 2nd-most travel miles (27,398) in 2022, Denver will have the 14th-most travel miles (19,930) in 2023. About middle of the pack.
  • 5. Week 3: Dolphins (away)
  • 4. Week 14: Chargers (away)
  • 3. Week 11: Vikings (home)
  • 2. Week 10: Bills (away)
  • 1. Weeks 6 & 8: Chiefs (away and home)
  • Nathaniel Hackett (Jets OC) in Week 5
  • Vic Fangio (Dolphins DC) in Week 3 (with Bradley Chubb)
  • Von Miller facing Broncos for the first time in Week 10 (MNF)
  • Las Vegas has set the team’s over/under win total at 8.5. Are you predicting nine wins or fewer for Denver?
  • Broncos Wire readers seem to agree with Vegas — 64% of fans said they expect the team to win between 7-10 games this season.
We will return later in the offseason with new podcast episodes as news pops up. If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos officially announce 8 roster moves

The Broncos made four roster cuts this week to make room for Kareem Jackson, Tyreik McAllister and a pair of XFL players.

After some roster shuffling, the Denver Broncos have set their 90-man offseason roster ahead of the start of organized team activities.

The Broncos officially waived four players on Monday and re-signed two players. Denver then signed two more players on Tuesday, filling out the roster ahead of the summer.

Here’s a quick recap of the moves the Broncos have made over the last 48 hours.