The NFL can sometimes be a ruthless environment for football players. Like, beyond those dream-come-true moments that come with happy tears are nightmares no one saw coming. Something similar happened in New Orleans today. With Derek Carr’s future in doubt due to his shoulder injury, the Saints were pushed into a frantic QB search. Even though they did pick Louisiana’s Tyler Shough, the Saints were still expected to keep a veteran presence on their roster. That’s where 28-year-old Ben DiNucci came in. His close ties to Kellen Moore and half of the Saints coaching staff were supposed to give him an edge over existing QBs. However, let’s just say things didn’t go in his favor, thereby leaving him distraught.

DiNucci have started just one game in the last 5 years. And that one opportunity came in Dallas. Back in 2020, when injuries sidelined both Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton, the Cowboys had to rely on DiNucci. Given the responsibility to start that, too, against the Cowboys’ fiercest rivals, the Eagles, DiNucci’s struggles were real. He only completed 21 of his 40 passes for 180 yards, lost two costly fumbles and was sacked 4 times. After the Cowboys lost 23-9, DiNucci has been a backup ever since.

But after the Saints called him to their practice squad last year, things were supposed to take a positive turn for DiNucci. Like, he even earned a future’s deal to return for 2025. Given how the Saints’ QB room looked all over the place and his close relationship with Moore from their time in Dallas, DiNucci was even predicted to start. However, things didn’t turn out the way he may have envisioned them. On Tuesday morning, Ben’s dreams to start in New Orleans were shattered.

He announced his own exit in the most heartbreaking way possible: “The NFL is a tough business. Always has been and always will be. Got released by the Saints this morning. Control what I can control and go back to work 🤙🏻,” DiNucci wrote on X. Considering his release from the Saints, they are probably not looking for a veteran presence on the roster. Ideally, they feel Moore’s experience as a QB, OC Doug Nussmeier, and QBs coach Scott Tolzien are enough for other QBs to look up to.

DiNucci’s release comes in light of the Saints adding Tyler Shough to their QB room. What was a five-QB locker room is now slimmed to four, probably three if you count Carr’s injury. Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener are now the only remaining passers on the Saints roster. Keeping in mind how last season went by for the Saints’ backup QBs, who delivered 7 losses, Shough is most probably going to be their day 1 starter.

Kellen Moore set to rally his troops behind not-so-rookie QB Tyler Shough

Kellen Moore was expected to pick a QB in the first round itself with their No.9 overall. But after they chose offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., instead, they came back and grabbed their guy in round 2. That man was surprisingly not Shedeur Sanders, as most people had predicted. Instead, it was Louisville’s signal-caller, Tyler Shough, who is set to be 26 before the start of the new NFL season. Shough was the third QB off the board after Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart already found their new home.

After being picked by the Saints, Shough revealed how tense he was until the Saints called his number. “It was just kind of a big relief off the chest when I finally got the call.” Ever since Saints’ future Hall of Famer QB Drew Brees retired in 2020, the Saints have cycled through 8 QBs. Now, Shough has the chance to cement his status as the Saints’ future signal-caller. Shough spent seven years of his college football career before he had a breakout year at Louisville.

Last season, Shough displayed his talents through 23 TD passes and just 6 interceptions. He even stood out in the Senior Bowl, showcasing NFL-caliber traits. So Kellen Moore didn’t hesitate to make Shough his first QB in a new era. “Great rhythm, anticipation, certainly you feel like he can hit all the marks of the field from a throwing perspective,” Moore said of Shough. Well, only time will tell how Shough’s tenure in the Saints will end up. Considering he was Moore’s preferred, he must have seen something special to give him the responsibilities of turning a broken franchise around.