Lawyer for Brendan Sorsby offers strong response to NFL's supplemental draft decision

On Monday, the agent for Brendan Sorsby suggested that it wasn't a lock that the NFL would allow the controversial quarterback to land with a team this summer via the supplemental draft. 

It now sounds like Sorsby's camp is ready for a fight with the league.

NFL gives Brendan Sorsby brutal news

On Tuesday, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo confirmed that the league has informed Sorsby and teams that a supplemental draft will not be held this summer. 

The NCAA deemed Sorsby ineligible to play during the 2026 college season after he admitted to gambling on Indiana games when he was a member of that program. He entered a residential treatment program to deal with a gambling addiction earlier this spring, but one unnamed AFC executive recently suggested some had questioned whether or not Sorsby made that decision as "a reaction to getting caught." 

According to Pete Thamel and Adam Schefter of ESPN, an NFL source said that Sorsby's application for the supplemental draft "carries with it a lot of issues...core of the game integrity issues." In a letter sent to Sorsby, general counsel of the NFL Management Council Larry Ferazani said that Sorsby's petition did not "demonstrate accountability for your conduct or indicate whether, or how, you would adhere to the League's rules and policies governing the integrity of competition."

What is next for Brendan Sorsby after the NFL's decision?

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, lawyer Jeffrey Kessler "could file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction" in response to the NFL's decision to not hold a supplemental draft. Kessler told ESPN the NFL's decision "is a violation of the" collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, and also a violation of "the law." Kessler added that "we will pursue this immediately with the NFLPA." 

Florio pointed out that the NFLPA "has standing to challenge the NFL’s decision to not conduct a supplemental draft" since that player-selection process was created via collective bargaining. It's unclear how the NFLPA will react to Tuesday's developments. 

"As [NFL commissioner Roger Goodell] has emphasized, participation in the NFL is a privilege that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability," Ferazani said in the letter to Sorsby. "By all accounts, you are a talented player with the potential for future success. We encourage you to focus on preparing for possible entry into the NFL through the 2027 NFL Annual Draft."

The 2026 supplemental draft would have taken place on or before July 16. Unless something changes over the next few weeks, Sorsby will have to wait until at least next spring to officially become an NFL player. 

Per ESPN, Sorsby "would potentially be able to play in the" Canadian Football League this year.