Brenden Sorsby, a quarterback who transferred to Texas Tech, is under NCAA investigation for gambling addiction. His situation raises concerns about potential disciplinary actions if he enters the NFL.
Key points
Brenden Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech.
He is under NCAA investigation for gambling addiction.
Sorsby received a $6 million NIL deal.
His NFL career may start in a disciplinary program if found guilty.
Brenden Sorsby did not declare for the 2026 NFL Draft in favor of transferring to Texas Tech along with a significant $6 million NIL payday. Had he entered the 2026 NFL draft, Sorsby would likely be, at worst, the third quarterback taken off the board.
Recently it was reported that Sorsby voluntarily admitted himself to a facility for a gambling addiction. That news prompted an NCAA investigation and many to discuss the option of entering the NFL's supplemental draft.
The NCAA investigation is important. If he is found guilty of any gambling-related transgressions, there is plenty of precedent to suggest Sorsby would begin his NFL career in a disciplinary program. Similarly to how Josh Gordon entered the league in the substance abuse program. With a strike against him before he ever plays a game.
There are five significant examples of players drafted via the supplemental draft that immediately come to mind. Cris Carter (1987), Jamal Williams (1998), Mike Wahle (1998), Josh Gordon (2012) and Bernie Kosar (1985). The team in question has drafted two of them.
There are several concerns that point to the same logical conclusion. Drafting Sorsby in the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft could be a great idea for some team, just not this one.
Q&A
What is Brenden Sorsby's current status regarding the NFL Draft?
Brenden Sorsby did not declare for the 2026 NFL Draft and instead transferred to Texas Tech.
Why is Brenden Sorsby under NCAA investigation?
He is under investigation due to his voluntary admission to a facility for gambling addiction.
What could happen if Sorsby is found guilty of NCAA violations?
If found guilty, Sorsby may have to enter the NFL's disciplinary program, similar to other players with gambling-related issues.
How much NIL money did Brenden Sorsby receive for transferring to Texas Tech?
Brenden Sorsby received a significant $6 million NIL deal upon transferring to Texas Tech.
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The Browns are the last team that should consider Sorsby
The argument for Sorsby is simple logic. The Cleveland Browns have not settled on the quarterback position in 30 years and Sorsby could be a top 50 quarterback in 2027. The Browns have had a more difficult time figuring out the quarterback position in the last 30 years, than any other team has struggled to fill any position in any sport.
The Cleveland media has been debating who the next starting quarterback will be, for the last quarter-century. The plan, as best as has been communicated by the team, is to attempt to win games this year with who they have, allowing competition to dictate who plays.
The current QB room and moves to this point
The current Browns quarterback room is Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green. Cleveland has done nothing else to add to that room. They did not sign a veteran free agent, and they did not address the quarterback position in the draft until the sixth round. When they selected an admitted quarterback 'project'.
The Browns are coming off two seasons with eight wins combined. General Manager Andrew Berry has put together two consecutive draft classes, applauded league wide. Virtually everything has been addressed to complete a gentleman's rebuild except knowing the answer at quarterback.
Logically, that is the ideal setup. From a roster building standpoint, the best proven approach is to build up everything that isn't the quarterback. Then draft the quarterback of the future. That way, the most expensive position on your roster is playing on a rookie contract while the team competes.
The Browns roster is good enough to evaluate
The Browns roster has a rebuilt offensive line, added two young running backs, a young tight end, and two rookie wide receivers to go along with Jerry Jeudy. On defense, three of the four defensive linemen are cemented, with one being the reigning defensive player of the year in Myles Garrett. They added free agent Quincy Williams to play next to reigning defensive rookie of the year Carson Schwesinger. They even added Emmanuel McNeill-Warren to a defensive backs room that was already a strength.
They rebuilt the offensive line and brought in two dynamic receivers because they needed upgrades at those positions. However, evaluating any quarterbacks they have would be difficult without those upgrades.
If Watson starts, that's bad news for Sanders and there's no way to sugarcoat that. Taking him out of or minimizing his evaluation. However, if Sanders wins the starting job, they have an entire season to evaluate Sanders' progress, readiness and ability with weapons and protection he did not have in 2025.
If Sanders is not the answer by January, the Browns can put everything they've got into drafting their favorite 2027 rookie quarterback. In such a scenario, it would be likely that Cleveland would again be picked in the top 10. If he plays well, or he plays great, then the Browns must have a conversation about if they still plan to draft a quarterback early in 2027?
The Browns track record
Objectively, the Browns have been one of the most unsuccessful franchises in recent memory across almost any sport. They have had three playoff seasons in 26 years. Two have been in the last ten years. They have been rebuilding more of those 25 years than being in a win now window. By a ratio of almost five to one.
Cleveland's success in the supplemental draft
The Browns are no stranger to the supplemental draft. In 2012, they used a third-round pick to select Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft. Gordon would go onto have one of the best receiving seasons of the last two decades (2013-14 games, 87 receptions, 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns), but his career was marred by substance abuse suspensions.
Much more important to Browns' history was Bernie Kosar in 1985. To this day, Kosar is the most beloved quarterback in Browns history. Otto Graham has more accolades, but 'Bernie' is a Cleveland legend. Kosar threw for 23,301 yards, 124 touchdowns and gave Cleveland their best run of success since the days of Jim Brown.
Cleveland's recent track record of off-field concerns
The Cleveland Browns have been on a long streak of acquiring players with 'off-the-field issues'. Watson is obviously the biggest and most discussed. The aforementioned Josh Gordon is on that list. Johnny Manziel, for both substance and dedication to the craft concerns, is also on that list.
Second-year running back Quinshon Judkins missed almost the entire offseason program due to a legal case. He was cleared of his rookie year. Mike Hall Jr. has still not seen consistent playing time since his 2024 arrest. Kareem Hunt served an eight-game suspension for a physical altercation. Greg Robinson was arrested on drug possession charges. To say nothing of Myles Garrett's driving habits.
This entire process is in the redzone
The team, players and fans are tired of waiting until next year. A transition or gap year is not in the cards. Todd Monken has made it very clear that he has no intention of doing anything but trying to win. They can do that without a rash decision at quarterback that would compromise draft assets. To bring in a player that likely isn't a better option than what they could get if they just waited 11 months.
Sorsby may very well turn out to be a solid future NFL option for someone, but the Browns are in a sensitive window. Let him be the answer for someone else. Everything they've done for the last few years is all leading to 2027. Not June 2026.
If Shedeur is not the answer, they can go after Arch Manning or Dante Moore or whoever they like. If Shedeur is the answer, then the outlook of the team looks significantly different than it does today.
If Cleveland is legitimately considering Sorsby in the Supplemental Draft, it will only be interpreted one way by anyone following this team closely. As a panic move.
According to ESPN's too early 2027 mock draft, Sorsby does not crack the first round. According to NFLDraftBuzz, Sorsby is the 9th-ranked draft eligible quarterback for the 2027 draft. Putting him very much outside the relative consensus of Arch Manning, Dante Moore and Julian Sayin.
This team, in particular, has no reason to abandon the plan as communicated by the team. Not for Sorsby, who needed a good year with Texas Tech to get into the first round. Without that, he's a 60% passer with 2,800 yards and only 27 touchdowns. A far cry from the numbers already produced by the consensus top 3 quarterbacks for 2027.
It's also not even comparable to the final college seasons of Shedeur Sanders (74%, 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns) or Deshaun Watson (67%, 4,593 yards, 41 touchdowns). Even if Watson is ten years removed from that stat line.
