Falcons QB Beats Atlanta to Punch by Announcing His Release Before Roster Deadline

The NFL veteran turned into a news breaker on Saturday.
Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA;  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Ben DiNucci (16) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Ben DiNucci (16) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Falcons closed the books on their 2025 preseason schedule on Friday night with a 31-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

With this being the final opportunity for players hoping to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster, being blown out by a conference rival didn't lead to many opportunities for positive plays on either side of the ball for Atlanta.

The Falcons have plenty of tough decisions to make between now and Tuesday afternoon's league-wide deadline for roster cuts. However, it appears as though the coaching staff and front office have already informed one veteran that his services will no longer be needed in Atlanta.

Falcons' Ben DiNucci Beats Atlanta to Punch By Announcing His Release

With Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins not taking a single snap during the Falcons' three preseason games, fans saw the QB battle between Easton Stick, Emory Jones, and Ben DiNucci play out for themselves. If it wasn't obvious following Friday's preseason finale that DiNucci was going to be the odd man out in Atlanta, the veteran signal caller confirmed that was the case from an airport bar on Saturday afternoon.

Stick received the bulk of the playing time in the Falcons' loss to the Cowboys. His 28 pass attempts compared to DiNucci's two tell the story. With Jones being released earlier in the week, this was supposed to be DiNucci's best opportunity to show what he can do. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way for the former James Madison University standout.

With DiNucci having been released for the seventh time in his NFL career, Stick has earned his spot on Atlanta's roster. Given the uncertainty surrounding Kirk Cousins' status for the 2025 campaign, Stick could ultimately be QB2 for the Falcons at some point this season.

It is never fun to see anyone lose their job, regardless of the occupation they held. At least DiNucci was able to have a little fun with the news he received on Saturday.

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