BREAKING: Ben DiNucci is back in the Denver quarterback picture today. With Bo Nix sidelined and Jarrett Stidham named the starter against the Patriots, the Broncos have to think fast at QB. Depth matters now. It points straight to a familiar name with a live arm and a quick release.
Denver reshuffles the quarterback plan
Sean Payton went with the steady hand. Stidham will start in Foxborough. The playbook will tighten, the tempo will rise, and the Broncos will lean on timing throws. That is the right move for a short week of prep and a tough defense.
But this story is bigger than one start. With Nix injured, Denver must secure game day depth. The league allows a practice-squad quarterback to be elevated as an emergency third passer. That is a safety net if the first two go down. It also lets the starter and backup get clean reps, while the third stays ready.
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Nick Foles reminded fans this week that backup moments can flip seasons. He is right. Quarterback rooms turn fast in December. The Broncos know it. That is why Ben DiNucci has stepped back into focus today.
Why Ben DiNucci matters now
DiNucci is not a mystery to this staff. He has been in the building. He knows the language and the signals. He can run a two-minute drill, and he throws well on the move.
He was a 2020 Cowboys draft pick out of James Madison. He saw NFL snaps as a rookie. He then rebuilt his case in the XFL with Seattle, where he led the league in passing yards in 2023. That run showed what he is, a confident rhythm passer who can push the ball and stress zones.
DiNucci has live-arm touch to the sideline, quick feet in the pocket, and a point guard feel in the short game.
That style fits Denver’s timing concepts. Slants, option routes, and flats. Quick play action and sprintouts. You do not overhaul the offense for a depth move, you plug in someone who can mirror the starter’s plan. DiNucci checks that box.
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How an elevation would work
If Denver wants added insurance on Sunday, the path is simple. They can elevate a practice-squad quarterback for game day. He can dress as the emergency third quarterback. He only takes the field if the first two are out, which protects the roster while guarding against chaos.
- Elevate from the practice squad by Saturday deadline
- Designate as emergency QB on game day
- Practice all week in a limited plan
- Be ready for two-minute, red zone, and backed-up calls
The emergency third quarterback rule lets teams carry stability without burning a full active spot on offense or special teams.
This is not about hype. It is about risk management. You protect the starter. You prepare the backup. You quiet the noise with a plan that gives you a clean escape hatch if disaster hits.
What this offense could look like with DiNucci
Payton’s offense asks for fast eyes and quick answers. The first read must be decisive. The ball must come out. DiNucci’s best tape shows him thriving in those situations. He is at his best with tempo, when he can play point guard and let his receivers work after the catch.
He also offers some pocket movement. Bootlegs, keepers, and quick set throws are in his bag. That helps the protection. It widens the field and makes easy throws for a quarterback who may be thrust into action without a full week of reps.
The key is ball security. The XFL season showed his creativity and volume. The NFL demands clean decisions in the red zone and late in halves. Denver will script to that reality. Expect quick-game staples, hard play action, and high percentage throws if he is called. You win with simple answers on the road in winter.
Watch the transaction wire before kickoff. An elevation would signal Denver’s intent to guard against a mid-game pivot at quarterback.
The locker room piece matters too. DiNucci is respected in that room. Teammates know he prepares like a starter. That trust shows up on the sideline and in the huddle when things get loud.
The bottom line
Stidham gets the ball. The Patriots get a fighter. Denver gets clarity. But depth decides long seasons, and the Broncos are acting like a team that understands the stakes. In a week that tightened the margin, Ben DiNucci is suddenly right where every quarterback wants to be, a snap away and ready.
This is smart, targeted insurance for a team pushing to the finish. One decision at the top, one safety net behind it, and a quarterback with a live arm waiting for his moment. If Denver calls his number, DiNucci will not blink. Football rewards the prepared. The Broncos are putting that on display today. 🏈
