The NFL decided not to hold a 2026 supplemental draft, and former Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby is not going quietly. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, released a statement pushing back hard on the league’s version of events.
Kessler, a well-known sports labor lawyer, disputed the NFL’s claim that Sorsby failed to provide enough information with his application. According to a statement obtained by Tom Pelissero, the process started back in April, and the league never asked for anything beyond the short application form.
“In late April, we inquired with the NFL about the process for gaining entry into the Supplemental Draft,” Kessler said. “The response from the League was that all that was required was a short application, which needed to be submitted prior to June 22. At no point did the NFL indicate that it would need or want to review anything other than the application itself or that submitting the application at or close to the deadline would have any impact on the NFL’s consideration.”
Kessler said Sorsby’s agent followed up after submitting the paperwork and essentially got crickets.
“Mr. Sorsby’s agent followed up with the NFL to ask if any additional information was needed or if the NFL had any questions,” the statement reads. “The NFL declined that invitation.”
He Found Out Through the Media
Here’s where it gets messy. Kessler claims Sorsby learned the NFL had scrapped the supplemental draft from news reports before the league ever bothered to tell him directly.
“The NFL gave its letter purporting to deny Mr. Sorsby entry to the Supplemental Draft to the media before sending it to Mr. Sorsby,” Kessler said. “He learned that the NFL was not planning to hold a Supplemental Draft when the media reported it.”
The league sent Sorsby a letter explaining the decision, and one part specifically mentioned his choice to fight the NCAA’s ruling in court rather than just accept it.
“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,” the letter stated.
Sorsby lost his remaining NCAA eligibility after the NCAA ruled he violated sports wagering rules during his time at Indiana. That’s what started this whole chain of events in the first place.
The NFL’s Door Isn’t Completely Shut
The league didn’t totally slam the door on Sorsby’s pro career. The letter encouraged him to focus on preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft instead.
“As Commissioner Goodell has emphasized, participation in the NFL is a privilege that carries with it significant responsibilities, including accountability,” the letter continued. “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.”
So Sorsby will have to wait another year if he wants to hear his name called. The question now is whether this public back-and-forth with the league hurts or helps his chances down the road.
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