Brendan Sorsby: 3 teams that fit in the NFL supplemental draft

Texas Tech and quarterback Brendan Sorsby have agreed to part ways, clearing the path for the 22-year-old to seek entry into the NFL’s supplemental draft this summer. If the league approves his application — something sources expect — his name could trigger the NFL’s first supplemental selection event since 2019, with teams submitting blind bids in July.

Sorsby’s situation is unusual: on-field talent mixed with an off-field gambling controversy that could shrink his market. Teams weighing a bid must decide whether the upside is worth surrendering future draft capital and potentially absorbing league discipline tied to his college-era conduct.

How the NFL supplemental draft works and what it costs teams

The supplemental draft runs separately from the regular April draft and uses a closed-bid system. Teams offer a pick from their corresponding selection pool — if a club wins the bid, it must forfeit that same round pick in the following year’s draft. For Sorsby, that would mean losing a 2027 pick equal to the round used to claim him.

Historically, clubs have been cautious about spending premium picks in the supplemental window. The most recent notable success story was wide receiver Josh Gordon, taken by Cleveland with a second-round bid in 2012. No team has paid a first-rounder in the supplemental draft since 1992, making a top-round price unlikely for most prospects.

• Timing: Teams will submit bids in July if Sorsby’s application is approved.
• Cost: Any successful bid removes that round’s pick from the team’s 2027 draft inventory.
• Precedent: Second-round bids have been the high-water mark in modern supplemental history.

Disciplinary shadow: the gambling scandal and potential NFL punishment

Sorsby’s appeal to teams comes with baggage. College-level sports wagering allegations can prompt league discipline, and there’s a relevant precedent. When Terrell Pryor entered the supplemental draft amid a separate controversy at Ohio State, the NFL issued a multi-game suspension — a reminder that picking Sorsby could come with enforced absences.

How long a suspension might last is speculative, but teams must account for lost availability when valuing him. That calculus could lower the price tag: clubs that otherwise might bid a mid-round selection could be deterred if they expect to wait weeks into the season to deploy him.

Teams that make strategic sense for Sorsby

Several franchises stand out as realistic suitors because of roster need, draft capital, and roster windows. Below are logical fits — with reasons why each team might gamble on the young QB despite the red flags.

New York Jets: a high-upside, low-risk experiment

• The Jets are actively hunting long-term quarterback answers and carry significant 2027 draft resources, which can make a speculative bid tolerable.
• Why it fits: New York has an elite pass-catcher in Garrett Wilson and could accelerate his prime by adding a potential starting quarterback now rather than waiting through another draft cycle.
• Risk/reward: With plenty of future picks, a second- or third-round bid on Sorsby represents a manageable gamble if teams believe in his upside.

Cleveland Browns: value-driven front office might pull the trigger

• Cleveland’s roster construction gives front-office decision-makers room to pursue high-upside players without mortgaging premium picks.
• Why it fits: Deshaun Watson remains the presumptive starter, so the Browns could absorb a short-term suspension that might follow Sorsby’s arrival while evaluating his long-term ceiling behind an experienced veteran.
• Historical tie: Cleveland has experience using supplemental picks and tolerating roster complexity when upside is high.

Pittsburgh Steelers: an intriguing developmental play

• The Steelers have struggled to find a durable, franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired and might need options heading into 2027.
• Why it fits: Pittsburgh’s mix of offensive weapons and a solid defense could hide a rookie’s growing pains while the team assesses whether Sorsby can be a long-term solution.
• Limitations: The Steelers’ competitiveness may keep them off the market for top-tier rookie prospects via the regular draft, but a supplemental bid offers a different pathway.

Why the Arizona Cardinals should likely pass on Sorsby

On paper the Cardinals fit the “quarterback-needy” label, but their recent roster moves suggest patience is a better strategy than an expensive supplemental bet. Arizona used a third-round selection on Carson Beck in the 2026 NFL Draft and plans to open the coming season with Jacoby Brissett as the veteran starter.

With multiple roster holes to address during a rebuild, the Cardinals might be better served using picks and cap space to shore up other positions while allowing Beck to develop. Spending a 2027 draft pick to add Sorsby could create redundancy, complicate a clear developmental path, and divert resources away from more pressing needs.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.