The NFL won’t hold a supplemental draft this summer, and that decision has effectively stalled former Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s path to the league for at least another season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that the league, per its current collective bargaining agreement, simply opted not to run the supplemental draft this year. That’s the same process that let players like Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor enter the NFL outside the normal April window. But Sorsby won’t get that chance.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the league also informed Sorsby he can’t sign as a free agent during the 2026 season. He’s free to play in other professional leagues — the CFL, the UFL, any of them — but not in the NFL. And a return to college ball doesn’t look realistic either, given his transfer from Indiana to Cincinnati and the timing of his departure.
So what are his options? Basically one: wait until the 2027 NFL Draft next spring.
The league sent a letter directly to Sorsby
The NFL wrote to Sorsby and all 32 teams to explain the decision. The closing paragraph of that letter, addressed specifically to the quarterback, is worth reading:
“As Commissioner Goodell has emphasized, participation in the NFL is a privilege that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability. 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 tone is polite but firm. A talent with potential. We’ll see you next year. But the league’s broader message is clear: they’re not bending the rules for anyone, especially not players with gambling allegations in their background. Sorsby was suspended at Indiana for a gambling-related violation, and that history appears to have factored into the league’s stance here.
The NFL has a track record of making examples in these situations. Canceling an entire league event to send a message is a heavy move, but it’s consistent with how the league has handled gambling cases under Goodell.
What happens next for Sorsby
He’s not completely shut out. He can play elsewhere in 2026, stay in shape, keep working. But his NFL debut is now at least two years away, assuming he’s drafted or signed as a free agent in 2027.
That’s a long time for a player who was hoping to start his pro career this summer. Sorsby hasn’t commented publicly since the news broke, but it’s safe to assume he’s weighing his options. The UFL season runs through June. The CFL preseason starts in May. Those are paths he can take while waiting out the clock.
For now, the league has drawn a line. Sorsby is on the outside looking in, and the NFL isn’t letting him through the door just yet.
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