Former Syracuse football quarterback Eric Dungey has joined the XFL. Here’s why that’s a better opportunity for him to prove himself.
Shortly after the 2019 NFL Draft former Syracuse football quarterback Eric Dungey signed a deal to join the NFL. It was a life long dream for Eric.
He would spend the next several months with the New York Giants as a Taysom Hill like utility player. Big Blue had Dungey listed at both quarterback and tight end on their official roster.
Unfortunately, Eric never got a chance to prove himself because he was released prior to the team’s training camp in the Summer.
After returning to Syracuse for a few months, he got another chance to work out with the Cleveland Browns. Eric impressed enough to earn a spot on the team’s practice squad and spent the next two months there before he was released on December 19.
To be honest, that’s the best thing that could’ve happened to him.
The Browns have their franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Even if Dungey impressed it would’ve been very difficult for him to crack the final 53 next Fall.
So after taking a few weeks to consider his next step, Dungey decided to join the XFL. The news was first announced late Wednesday night.
Initially, when Eric Dungey left Syracuse, he was opposed to joining the XFL. At his Pro Day, Dungey said he was 100 percent focused on making it to the NFL. But now that he’s gotten on a few professional teams and has seen how things work, he changed his mind.
Now Eric will get an opportunity to prove himself with the Dallas Renegades of the XFL. It seems like destiny that his path to the XFL features a strong Syracuse connection with the Director of Player Personnel for the Renegades Daryl ‘Moose’ Johnston:
"“We are very excited to have Eric Dungey join the Renegade family,” Director of Player Personnel Daryl Johnston said in a statement. “He has always been at the top of our list through this process and we didn’t think we would have the opportunity to sign Eric after he joined the Cleveland Browns this fall. It’s a blessing to have him join us after the injury to Landry. He brings great athleticism and leadership to our quarterback position.”"
Eric will have an opportunity to earn the starting job with Dallas because an opportunity presented itself via injury. Landry Jones, the original starting quarterback for the Renegades suffered a knee injury that’ll likely keep him out for the next four to six weeks.
That timeline puts his status for the XFL season opener very much in doubt. The Renegades will kick off their season vs the St. Louis BattleHawks on Sunday, February 9.
Dungey will have a chance to be the opening day starter he’ll be competing against the only other healthy quarterback on the roster Phillip Nelson.
If Eric can get on the field he can create real tape to get back where he wants to be in the NFL.
For example, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas said at his season-ending press conference that he’ll be routinely sending his scouts to cover the XFL. This secondary football league provides a legitimate opportunity for players to prove themselves and that’s exactly what Eric Dungey plans on doing.
Eric has the credentials after a thrilling four-year career on the hill with the Orange where he threw 58 touchdown passes and ran for 35 more. Dungey collected 9,340 yards through the air and also contributed nearly 2,000 yards on the ground during his marvelous career.