Why Browns may stay away from Brendan Sorsby amid Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson competition

A Thursday report suggested that people within the Cleveland Browns have not had serious discussions about possibly acquiring Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby if he were to enter this year's supplemental draft for the NFL.

For an update shared later on Thursday, Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer explained why veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders may not have to worry about having Sorsby thrown into the team's quarterback room later this year. 

Browns' Brendan Sorsby concerns won't go away before the supplemental draft arrives this summer

"If Sorsby declares for the supplemental draft, the Browns would update their previous comprehensive report on him and also thoroughly vet the gambling addiction and treatment," Cabot wrote. "With the draft taking place so soon after — or during — Sorsby’s inpatient treatment, it will be impossible for teams to know if he can stay clean."

Cabot was referencing how Sorsby checked into a residential treatment program to deal with a gambling addiction earlier this spring. More recently, a report revealed that multiple state gaming regulators had launched investigations into his alleged gambling activities. 

It's unclear if Sorsby would have to serve a suspension at any point during his pro career. Cabot noted that the NFL's personal conduct policy states that "nothing in this policy should be read to limit the league’s authority to investigate or discipline potential policy violations alleged to have occurred before a player is under contract or draft-eligible." 

Watson reportedly began May holding a lead in the competition for Cleveland's starting quarterback job. That said, the Browns allegedly plan to move on from him next offseason regardless of what happens over the next eight months or so. 

Browns can wait until 2027 instead of taking a flier on Brendan Sorsby

"He’ll also undoubtedly hold a workout for NFL teams after declaring, and all or most would likely attend," Cabot said about what would happen if Sorsby declares for the supplemental draft in the event that he is made ineligible to play for the upcoming college season. "After the workout and due diligence on the gambling, the Browns would have to determine if he’s worth a premium pick in next year’s QB-heavy draft, and if so, which one might they be willing to sacrifice? If they bid a first-round pick (in the supplemental draft), they’d forfeit that selection in the 2027 draft, and so forth. A first-round pick might be too risky for a player coming off treatment for a gambling addiction, but perhaps they’d be willing to part with a later selection."

Next year's draft class is expected to be loaded with top-tier quarterback prospects. Additionally, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken seems serious about wanting to give Sanders opportunities to climb back atop the depth chart. 

In short, it sounds like Sorsby is little more than a blip on the Browns' radar heading into the second weekend of May. Whether or not that will change over the next month and a half shall be seen.