The Cleveland Browns have a full quarterback room. Here at DBN, we have reported on veteran Deshaun Watson being the starter, the possibility that Shedeur Sanders will evolve into the starting QB, Dillon Gabriel not being out of the equation, and how rookie Taylen Green should develop.
But not a single word that the Browns are attempting to bring Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby into the fold.
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RELATED: NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT OFF THE TABLE FOR SORSBY
Plenty of ink has been devoted to who Sorsby is and the journey that might bring him onto Cleveland’s roster. But no quotes from GM Andrew Berry, head coach Todd Monken (quite the opposite, in fact, with Monken), or any other front office personnel stating they are interested, or are going to bring him in.
Lots of conversations about the possibility of Sorsby being selected by the Browns. But no proof. Nobody from the Browns has said publicly that they will become the team that is able to get him and bring him into the training camp scenario.
And you won’t hear anything. GMs and other team personnel don’t discuss these matters with anyone outside of the organization. They will “Hollywood talk” you to death with answers to questions such as, “We will continue to evaluate our options,” or “We are pleased with the quarterbacks we have under contract, but always look to assess our situation at every position.”
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That didn’t answer anything. And all media sites are going to ask the hard questions, already knowing they will get the generic answers. Still, it’s what we do, and we media folk have to print something. But no, they aren’t going to divulge anything.
It is a subject that may or may not affect Cleveland. Nobody from the Browns front office or coaching staff ever mentioned that they had an interest in him, but then again, they wouldn’t. Because the draft process for the Supplemental version is by bidding, the franchise has no incentive to discuss their feelings if they are interested in him. No GM will divulge their strategy at any time. Teams have traded up to grab a guy in front of one of their division teams because they believed the division foe was going to snare him on intel they received.
Sorsby’s situation is a mess. He dug his own grave, and whatever is going on with the remainder of his football career is on him. He wanted to go back to college because he had an NIL eval of $5 million. But realistically, what advertisers were going to be interested? Who made that evaluation? His agent? Teams in the same conference were about to bail on Tech. Teams in other sports had already begun the process, as their volleyball had suffered some cancellations.
Looking at his stats, he is a good player with a ton of talent, but is he considered an elite prospect? A franchise QB? Exceptional runner, but Sorsby’s passing stats don’t scream anything other than an above-average passer. He may have been a Texas Tech QB, but he never played a game with them. All of his best stats were with Cincinnati, which never really did anything.
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The issue is that nobody wants a quarterback who will throw a game because he has money riding on the other team. A missed throw here, an interception in the fourth quarter, an untimely fumble. More than any other position, the QB has the opportunity on every single offensive down to alter the game’s outcome.
Sorsby can’t enter the NFL as expected through the Supplemental Draft. He can’t go back to play college football. Perhaps he can play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) this year, although their season is already underway. Then, enter the NFL draft next April under normal draft circumstances after sitting out an entire season.
However, on Friday, another roadblock for Sorsby.
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The CFL announced that they are shutting him out from signing with any of their clubs.
Dawgs by Nature has obtained a copy of the statement issued by the CFL league office. It states:
“Upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition are paramount to the CFL. The allegations involving Brendan Sorsby are serious and concerning. At this time, the CFL will not register a contract for him, and no team will be permitted to add him to its negotiation list.”
The “negotiation list” is an internal procedure with this league. They have a session that is similar to a draft, where teams select NFL players and place them on their own list. Teams can keep each drafted player’s rights for five years. In case one of their protected players ends his NFL career and becomes available, that team can then “negotiate” with them regarding becoming a roster member.
As an example, QB Johnny Manziel was released from the Browns after just two seasons, his agent terminated their relationship, Nike ended their business deal, he was indicted by a Dallas grand jury on misdemeanor assault charges, and was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season. Instead, he opted for the CFL. He was on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats negotiation list, and on December 28, 2017, the CFL approved Manziel to play in the league.
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Players enter the CFL through their own draft, an open tryout, or via the negotiation list. As far as pro football contracts, the CFL pays the second most behind the NFL. Since the NFL decided not to hold a Supplemental Draft, of which he would have been the only player entered, it was assumed that his next option would be going to the CFL. Otherwise, he would sit out an entire year since he renounced his final year of college eligibility.
Currently, the CFL is in its third weekend of games. Games are broadcast in the United States by CBS Sports. The regular season concludes on October 24, with their championship game, the Grey Cup, is scheduled for November 15 in Calgary.
The CFL’s decision to exclude Sorsby eliminates one more avenue for the fledgling quarterback to play this upcoming season. His only options are to enroll in a junior college or play for one of the professional indoor football circuits, such as “Arena Football One,” which is playing in its 10th week. Their regular season ends July 18.
There are a total of eight indoor football leagues in the U.S, which all play a spring format, and their seasons are coming to a close or will end this summer. The championship game of the “Indoor Football League” in Tucson is on Sunday, August 16.
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Sorsby just might have to do what New Orleans Saints backup QB Hunter Dekkers did, who was suspended indefinitely while he was on the roster of Iowa State. Dekkers was accused of placing 366 bets that totaled more than $2,799, including 297 when he was under the age of 21, Iowa’s minimum age for sports gambling.
He then played one season for Iowa Western Community College and was undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft.
Dekkers was signed to the Saints’ practice squad, then played one year in the UFL. Which team, you ask? Why, the Houston Gamblers, of course.
Read the full article here