NFL executive addresses Brendan Sorsby 'red flag' takes ahead of supplemental draft decision

As of the morning of May 18, it remained unknown if Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby will enter this year's supplemental draft for the NFL after he checked into a residential treatment program to deal with a gambling addiction earlier this spring. 

For a piece published on Monday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke with NFL executives about how Sorsby could be viewed by teams that may want to take a flier on an exciting quarterback prospect during the summer's supplemental draft.

Will Brendan Sorsby need more than a few months to repair his reputation?

"It’s a red flag, especially at QB," one executive said about Sorsby's potential gambling issues. "Constantly worrying about your QB betting instead of working is going to be a problem for a lot of GMs. If it’s really an addiction, that doesn’t get better in one offseason."

Sorsby reportedly is the subject of investigations launched by multiple state gaming regulators regarding his alleged gambling. Multiple stories have noted that he may have to serve a suspension related to an NCAA punishment if he tries to enter the NFL via this year's supplemental draft.

Why NFL teams may give Brendan Sorsby a chance if he enters the supplemental draft

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly among the teams that currently have no proven long-term quarterback on their roster, but could pass on taking Sorsby during the supplemental draft. Those running the Browns could make such a decision in part because the 2027 traditional NFL Draft could be filled with multiple highly rated quarterback prospects. 

"This is a player who is in the conversation for the top two rounds next year in the draft," one unnamed executive said about Sorsby. "He’s one of the guys who (scouts) were excited to evaluate. They were excited (about) this year and saw steady progression."

Meanwhile, one college coach who spoke with Howe suggested Sorsby is like many young adults who pick up gambling habits while in college. 

"He got caught," the coach said about Sorsby, "(but) he’s probably not overly different from kids in college football or sports in general. They’re going to make mistakes. We all did at that age."

Howe added that "all sides are scrambling for information to be ready when Sorsby makes his decision." That decision will impact Sorsby's life beyond 2026 and could also change the future of one NFL team. The NFL will set a supplemental draft date if Sorsby declares for the player-selection process by June 30.