Benjamin Anthony DiNucci, a prominent figure in the XFL, is currently the starting quarterback for the Seattle Sea Dragons. Born on November 24, 1996, DiNucci has had an impressive journey in the world of football, beginning with a successful high school career and continuing through college and the NFL before joining the XFL.
DiNucci’s football career started at Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He set a WPIAL record by throwing for 4,269 yards as a senior, becoming the first player in the state’s history to surpass the 4,000-yard mark. His exceptional performance led to multiple awards and honors, including the 2014-2015 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Pennsylvania.
After initially committing to the University of Pennsylvania, DiNucci changed his mind and accepted a football scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a backup quarterback for his first two years before transferring to James Madison University. He eventually earned All-CAA, CAA Offensive Player of the Year, and AFCA first-team All-American honors.
Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, DiNucci saw limited action in the NFL, but his experiences there have undoubtedly shaped his journey as a professional football player.
Dallas Cowboys
DiNucci’s NFL career began in 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys. He made his debut on October 19, 2020, against the Arizona Cardinals, coming in relief of an injured Andy Dalton. In this game, DiNucci completed 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards. The following week, DiNucci again entered the game in relief of Dalton, who had suffered a concussion. DiNucci completed 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards in a 25-3 loss to the Washington Football Team.
On October 31, 2020, the Cowboys announced that DiNucci would make his first career start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. DiNucci completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards in a tough outing, lost two fumbles, and was sacked four times. The Cowboys lost 23-9, failing to score a touchdown in back-to-back games for just the fourth time in franchise history.
After that start, DiNucci was surpassed on the depth chart by Garrett Gilbert and saw no further action for the remainder of the season.
In the 2020 NFL season, DiNucci appeared in three games, with one start, completing 23 of 43 passes for a 53.4% completion rate. He threw for 219 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 67.8. He also rushed six times for 22 yards.
After the 2020 season, DiNucci was waived by the Cowboys on August 31, 2021, and added to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 18, 2022, but was ultimately waived on August 30, 2022.
The Seattle Sea Dragons selected DiNucci in the opening phase of the 2023 XFL Draft, making him one of the few quarterbacks in the draft pool with NFL regular-season experience. DiNucci has showcased his talent with the Sea Dragons, leading the team to a 6-3 record in his first nine games as a starter.
Ben DiNucci XFL Contract
There is no official number on XFL Quarterbacks’ pay. Contracts in the XFL are for one year allowing players to sign with other leagues after the season completes in May.
With DiNucci at the helm, the Seattle Sea Dragons are poised for success in the XFL, as his strong arm, accuracy, and ability to create plays with his legs make him a valuable asset for the team. The Sea Dragons and their fans are excited to see what the future holds for this talented quarterback.
