Did Ben DiNucci fail at Cowboys? Revisiting XFL QB's inconsistent NFL career
Ben DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 231st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Due to how late he was selected in the draft, he joined the roster with minimal expectations, especially in the short term. Late-round draft picks are often developmental projects for NFL teams, and many of them don't even end up making their final roster for the upcoming season.
One of the main reasons why the Cowboys decided to take a shot at Ben DiNucci as a future quarterback prospect, despite having Dak Prescott was his outstanding college football career. While most of it was outside the top level of the competition, it was still rather impressive.
DiNucci began his college football career at the University of Pittsburgh, but transferred to James Madison University following his sophomore season. This is mainly because he was passed on Pittsburgh's depth chart by Kenny Pickett, and he wanted to transfer to a school where he would still be the starting quarterback.
In two years as a starter at James Madison, DiNucci was absolutely dominant. He was selected as an All-Conference quarterback twice, while also being named an All-American and Conference Player of the Year during his final season. His impressive accomplishments and dynamic dual-threat skillset are why Dallas acquired him in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 2020 NFL season marked Ben DiNucci's rookie year with the Cowboys. The original plan was to develop him through their system and see what type of player he could eventually turn into, but the circumstances of the 2020 season forced him onto the field much sooner than planned.
Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury early on in the 2020 season and was replaced by Andy Dalton as the starter moving forward. After Dalton suffered a concussion against the Arizona Cardinals, Ben DiNucci entered his first NFL game. He was then named the starter the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles while Dalton was still recovering.
DiNucci lost the game and had a lackluster performance, failing to score a touchdown and fumbling the football four times. This resulted in the Cowboys turning to Garrett Gilbert as their new short-term starter. DiNucci was moved back to the practice squad and never got back on the NFL field. He was eventually released by the team during the 2022 NFL offseason.
While Ben Dinucci didn't necessarily succeed at the NFL level, his short career can't be called a failure either. His expectations were never high, to begin with, relative to the position he was drafted in. While he didn't do enough to remain in the NFL, he was good enough to earn another shot at a professional football career.
Ben DiNucci will continue his pro QB career in the XFL
Ben DiNucci entered the 2023 XFL Draft as one of only two quarterbacks, along with AJ McCarron, to have NFL regular season game experience. This eventually helped him be selected by the Seattle Sea Dragons in the draft to continue his career as a professional footballer.
DiNucci competed with Steven Montez for the starting quarterback job and earned the position for Week 1 of the 2023 XFL season. He will look to improve after completing 35-of-54 passes for 282 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown in a loss to the DC Defenders in his first start.