Brendan Sorsby’s time in college football purgatory is over. Now, the Texas Tech quarterback could be entering NFL limbo.
One week after scoring a controversial legal victory against the NCAA that seemingly cleared the way for him to play this fall despite the gambling scandal that threatened his eligibility, Sorsby reversed course and is now planning on applying for the NFL supplemental draft.
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If the league grants him entry, all teams will have a short window in which to reach a conclusion on one of the NFL’s more mystifying evaluation cases in recent history.
Sorsby surely was not lacking for talent, with the Red Raiders’ prized portal addition having garnered early buzz as a potential first-round selection in 2027. Assumed in that trajectory, however, was that Sorsby would continue playing and developing this fall. But in court documents filed by Sorsby’s legal team to the NCAA on May 29, the former Indiana and Cincinnati quarterback acknowledged placing more than 9,000 bets – including some on his own team at Indiana – for a total of over $90,000.
That leaves front offices and coaching staffs with plenty to dissect – and potentially just a little more than a month to do so if the league allows Sorsby into the supplemental draft.
With Sorsby’s status with the NFL still pending, here’s a look at the best potential team fits for him:
Ahead of the final year of his existing deal, Baker Mayfield has set a training-camp deadline for reaching a contract extension with the Buccaneers. If no deal is reached, Tampa Bay could add an insurance policy of sorts in Sorsby. Doing so might lead to a significant blowback for the NFC South front-runners, who are trying to bounce back after seeing their four-year reign over the division come to an end last season. But a developmental option would be worthwhile, and the backup outlook hardly inspires much confidence if Mayfield misses any time. General manager Jason Licht has placed a heightened emphasis on character, however, and he might not be comfortable bringing aboard a player with as much baggage as Sorsby – especially with a truncated window in which to do due diligence.
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On paper, Cleveland looks as though it should be one of the leading candidates to scoop up Sorsby. A quarterback room with lots of options and no answers surely could stand for a high-potential passer to take the reins to the offense. And in the post-Myles Garrett landscape, the Browns can be patient about instituting any plan behind center as they find their way under first-year coach Todd Monken and continue to integrate promising young draft picks into their attack. But Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the team was an unlikely destination for Sorsby. Monken, meanwhile, said earlier in the offseason that drafting him would constitute “a slippery slope.” General manager Andrew Berry took a more demure approach, noting the team would weigh the possibility as it would in any case. But Cleveland already has more projects at the position than it can reasonably handle, and another half-measure only does so much for the bottom line.
Unless Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. engineers a career turnaround this season, Atlanta looks unsettled behind center for 2027. Not only could Sorsby be brought along slowly with an acclaimed offensive mind in two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, he also would join an offense with plenty of skill-position support in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. Yet the schematic fit isn’t quite there, with Stefanski having said in May that accuracy is “the most important trait” at quarterback. For an organization that seems to be focused on precision and getting its house in order after the various whiffs of the past regime – particularly at this position – Sorsby simply might not be the right kind of project to take on.
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From Sorsby’s standpoint, there’s probably not a more appealing landing spot. Being paired with Kevin O’Connell is an attractive proposition for any quarterback in need of development, regardless of how long the road to a starting gig might be. The Vikings – as well as new general manager Nolan Treasley, who joins from the Seattle Seahawks – already have a sense for what a strong-armed, mobile passer can unlock for an offense after their time with Sam Darnold. Yet O’Connell’s tolerance for developing an unreliable presence behind center might be limited after J.J. McCarthy’s turbulent debut as Minnesota’s starter. Even with Kyler Murray not signed beyond this season, this doesn’t seem like an organization that’s prone to taking fliers.
On the surface, Sorsby and the Steelers seem to size up as an ideal marriage. General manager Omar Khan has stated his strong preference for well-built quarterbacks who can endure the weather challenges that come with navigating the AFC North late in the season. Yet the Steelers already have their traits-based salvage project in third-round rookie Drew Allar, who’s been going back to basics with first-year coach Mike McCarthy in the offseason program. Sorsby is more dynamic than his frequently robotic Penn State counterpart, but that advantage might not be sufficient to sway Pittsburgh from its earlier investment. Moreover, a franchise known for being one of the NFL’s most buttoned-down operations might not be prepared to so easily look past Sorsby’s gambling infractions.
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Having pushed for the Green Bay Packers to draft Jordan Love in 2020, first-year Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is no stranger to investing in quarterbacks early and often – and then allowing them to sit. That mentality could lead Miami to at least poke around on Sorsby even after signing Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason. Of course, chasing another high-ceiling passer with a questionable body of work wouldn’t exactly diversify the roster. But Sullivan might have more of an appetite than most for Sorsby’s skill set, and a Dolphins team embracing an extended timeline for a reboot probably can endure the consequences of a potential supplemental draft move better than other franchises.
Few decision-makers have the autonomy and risk tolerance to weather any fallout from selecting Sorsby. Those factors are hardly concerns for Jerry Jones, though. The Cowboys owner’s affinity for securing premium talent and athleticism ramps up considerably when a developmental quarterback is in play. While there might not be any path toward playing time in the near future, Sorsby could be an alluring alternative to Joe Milton III and Sam Howell. And more so than any other owner, Jones surely would welcome the accompanying circus that would follow the Denton, Texas, native to his first pro stop.
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Gang Green trained its offseason focus on short-term viability above all, trading for 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith to hold down the vacant starting quarterback spot. And with maximizing value elsewhere on the roster taking priority, the Jets waited until the fourth round of the draft to select a passer in Clemson’s Clade Klubnik. Sure seems like a team poised to have three first-round picks next year is prepared to push to the front of the line for the signal-caller of the future next spring. As such, New York might be reticent to give up any meaningful draft capital. But the Jets also can’t guarantee that they’ll be within striking position for a young prospect to their liking at the position. On some level, it’s difficult to see general manager Darren Mougey diverting from his offseason theme of stability by going out on a limb for Sorsby. Yet with every offensive starter besides Smith now signed through at least 2027, now could be the time to embrace a high-upside consideration – if the price is palatable.
With disgruntled incumbent starter Jacoby Brissett trying to fend off third-round pick Carson Beck, the Cardinals have the most restrained approach to investing resources at quarterback. That nearly blank slate given to first-year coach Mike LaFleur could constitute the optimal setup for Sorsby to launch his professional career. Even if he sat out the entirety of what’s sure to be a transitional season for both him and Arizona, Sorsby would still draw a sharp contrast with the veteran Brissett and rookie Beck, neither of whom can measure up in their fluidity as throwers. And after his time working with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, LaFleur understands the value in having an offensive catalyst who can reach every level of the field. Embattled general manager Monti Ossenfort has to identify a viable long-term solution behind center, so taking a shot with Sorsby should be in play.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brendan Sorsby NFL supplemental draft team fits: Where will QB land?
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