The Atlanta Falcons made a move at the quarterback position this week, bringing in Ben DiNucci to compete for the emergency quarterback role. Atlanta made the move on the heels of an underwhelming preseason performance from current backup Easton Stick. It gives the Falcons a trio of potential options for the final spot with Stick, DiNucci, and Emory Jones all serving as potential answers. The first two spots on the depth chart are locked into place with Michael Penix Jr. as the starter and Kirk Cousins backing up the young quarterback.
Having Cousins as the primary backup offers a great deal of stability and leaves you a puncher's chance of competing if Penix were to suffer an injury. In truth, the same cannot be said of any of the Falcons' current options for the emergency quarterback role. Stick has spent time with the Chargers in a backup role, but there is a reason why the franchise pivoted in another direction.
DiNucci has a history of failures throughout the league, with his longest tenure coming in Dallas, sticking for most of three seasons with the Cowboys. After this, the veteran joined the XFL and had two failed attempts to land a long-term backup role.
Football news.
— Ben DiNucci (@B_DiNucci6) August 18, 2025
I signed with the Falcons this morning.
Source - myself (credible)
Falcons Make Surprise Move Signing Backup Quarterback Ben DiNucci
Perhaps the most telling of how underwhelming this move is the fact that the quarterback announced the signing himself. There wasn't an insider race to have the scoop on DiNucci's next landing spot. This isn't meant as an intentional shot at the veteran, but pointing out the reality of how underwhelming the addition is for Atlanta. If the Falcons are going to make a change, the veteran will need to make an instant impact.
Showing out in the preseason finale and making it clear he is a better option than Stick moving forward. This seems incredibly unlikely when you look at Stick's experience and consider the potential ceiling of the two players. DiNucci is limited and going to need to prove to be overwhelmingly better to have a chance to make the final roster as the emergency quarterback.
With this in mind, Atlanta's preseason finale just grew a bit more interesting with the Falcons still unhappy with the position. However, it is important to note that having both Penix and Cousins makes the emergency role slightly less important. While having a better option would be ideal, Atlanta is in a great position at quarterback.