The NFL’s decision to cancel the supplemental draft leaves Tampa Bay with one less option as the former Texas Tech quarterback faces integrity concerns and a stalled professional path.
The Brendan Sorsby saga took another unexpected twist on Tuesday.
After applying to enter the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft three days before the deadline to do so, Sorsby was informed by the league that it will not be holding a draft this summer.
It is the latest curve ball being thrown in the drama surrounding the former Texas Tech quarterback.
After being ruled ineligible by the NCAA because of a gambling scandal, Sorsby was shockingly granted an injunction by a Texas court, allowing him to play this season.
However, after the Big 12 took the matter to federal court in an attempt to punish Sorsby and Texas Tech, he withdrew his lawsuit against the NCAA, intending to make the jump to the NFL.
Now, that is no longer an option for Sorsby.
There was speculation that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been interested in bidding on Sorsby in the Supplemental Draft, with the team mired in a contract standoff with QB Baker Mayfield.
Now, Sorsby is no longer an option for the Bucs.
Why Did The NFL Deny Sorsby
Sorsby was set to become the Supplemental Draft's most intriguing prospect in decades. So, why did the NFL deny him a chance to enter it?
The NFL has the right to decide on its own whether or not to hold the draft each year. The league sent Sorsby a letter informing him of its decision not to do so this year. League officials said they believed he would be a huge distraction for teams as they begin their training camps.
"His application carries with it a lot of issues," an NFL source told ESPN. "Core of the game integrity issues."
Tom Pelissero released the letter the NFL sent Sorsby in its entirety.
The letter gives multiple reasons for refusing to hold a Supplemental Draft. One being that because Sorsby filed his petition only three days before the deadline, the league did not have time to properly review his application.
It also scolds the QB for not showing remorse for his actions, which led to him being ruled ineligible. The letter also accuses Sorsby of trying to escape accountability and punishment for those actions.
The letter, signed by Larry Ferazani, the general counsel of the NFL management council, claims Sorsby's petition does 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.
"Instead, even after receiving notice of the NCAA's decision rescinding your college eligibility in May, you sought to avoid the consequences of that determination through litigation rather than accepting responsibility for your actions, and you pursued entry into the NFL only after abandoning those efforts."
Would The Bucs Have Picked Sorsby?
We will never know if the Bucs would have picked Sorsby.
It is certainly possible. If the team and QB Baker Mayfield are making no progress on a contract extension, Sorsby could have been an interesting option. He is a well-thought-of prospect, with some believing he is a first-round talent.
If Tampa could have gotten Sorsby for, say, a third-round bid in the Supplemental Draft, it would have been a tremendous value. Both in terms of draft capital and potentially having its starting QB (if Mayfield were to leave) on a third-round, rookie contract.
They no longer have Sorsby as a backup plan, making the negotiations with Mayfield even more of a priority.
Final Thoughts
Barring another unforeseen reversal (and there have already been plenty), it looks like Sorsby will have to wait until the 2027 NFL Draft to enter the league. The QB class for 2027 looks to be a strong one. Sorsby could see his stock fall even more after turning another year older and being forced to be away from football for an entire year.
The NFL has made it clear to Sorsby that it is not happy with how he has handled the entire situation. Will the Bucs, or any team, make a strong play to draft him next year, or will he have a Shadeur Sanders-esque fall on draft night?
Sorsby is unable to return to play any college football in 2026. He will likely enter the 2027 Draft as one of most polarizing prospects in NFL history.
Bet on it.
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