NFL executives had strong reactions to Lions' Dan Campbell not ruling out Brendan Sorsby move

This past Wednesday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell raised some eyebrows when he didn't rule out the possibility that his team could target controversial former Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby during the upcoming supplemental draft for the NFL. 

For a piece published on Friday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US revealed that Campbell's comments didn't go unnoticed by certain individuals within the league. 

Dan Campbell "caught attention around the league" with Brendan Sorsby comments

"Campbell, despite having quarterback Jared Goff under contract for two more years, did not rule out the team exploring top quarterback prospect Brendan Sorsby, who hopes to be deemed eligible for the supplemental draft next month," La Canfora wrote. "Campbell’s remarks caught attention around the league, and he could have been speaking for several coaches on contending teams with legit starting QBs right now when he addressed the situation this week." 

Sorsby's much-publicized history with gambling reportedly could prevent multiple clubs with a need at the position, such as the Cleveland Browns, from taking a flier on him next month. That said, the New York Jets are seen by some as the top team "to watch" regarding Sorsby's short-term future. 

Per league rules, the supplemental draft will take place on or before July 16. Thus, Campbell and Co. still have plenty of time to do some digging on Sorsby before the Lions will need to make a final decision about the polarizing signal-caller. 

Why having Jared Goff may not keep Lions from making bold Brendan Sorsby move

Back in 2024, Goff received a four-year extension that included $170M guaranteed and could be worth up to $212M. According to La Canfora, that deal won't necessarily impact the Lions' final Sorsby-related call. 

"Teams can get out of most every quarterback contract in the NFL within the next 18 months (by nature of their very structure)," La Canfora explained, "so if a team like the Lions, who have been very willing to make picks in the first round that other teams would not, opted to part with a high pick in 2027 to land Sorsby now, no one in other front offices would flinch." 

One unnamed general manager who spoke with La Canfora said that "it's a copycat league" in reference to how the Los Angeles Rams made quarterback Ty Simpson the 13th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft at a time when the Rams had reigning MVP Matthew Stafford atop their depth chart. 

In short, it's not out of the question that Detroit could become a legitimate landing spot for Sorsby over the next handful of weeks.