Brendan Sorsby will not sue the NFL and sets his sights on the 2027 draft
The quarterback and the NFLPA agree there will be no litigation over his blocked entry, closing a two-month saga and turning attention to the next draft.
Brendan Sorsby will not take the NFL to court. According to a memo sent to all 32 teams, the league confirmed with the NFL Players Association and Sorsby that there will be no further litigation over his entry into the NFL. Instead, the quarterback will prepare to enter the league through the 2027 NFL Draft. The resolution ends a two-month effort to find a path into professional football this year and gives Sorsby a defined, if delayed, route forward.
How did we get here?
The saga began in mid-May, when the first question was whether Brendan Sorsby could even enter the NFL through the supplemental draft. On June 16 he formally applied after leaving Texas Tech, and a day later his former Cincinnati coach said he expected NFL interest in the quarterback. The eligibility picture grew more tangled on June 21 with the Big 12's lawsuit against Texas Tech. Then the doors began closing: on June 24 the NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft, and on June 27 the CFL confirmed it could not offer a landing spot for this season. With no immediate route left, Sorsby faced a choice between fighting the NFL's decision in court or accepting the delay and looking ahead.
Why is he not suing the NFL?
The league sent a memo to all 32 teams stating that it had confirmed with the NFLPA and Sorsby that there will be no further litigation regarding his entry into the NFL. Rather than challenge the decision not to hold a supplemental draft, Sorsby will focus on his preparation for entry into the league via the 2027 NFL Draft. The arrangement effectively settles the dispute without a courtroom. It also allows both sides to move on from a standoff that had no clear precedent for a player in Sorsby's position.
What does the 2027 path look like?
For the purposes of league and collective bargaining agreement rules, Sorsby will be considered a draft-eligible player for the 2027 NFL Draft. He will not be eligible to sign an NFL player contract until the completion of that draft. As part of the settlement, he will be allowed to take part in the normal pre-draft processes, which can include the Senior Bowl, holding a pro day and going on team visits. The ESPN report did not specify where or how Sorsby will train during the interim, and no specific date for the 2027 draft was provided.
Where does the gambling matter stand?
Sorsby addressed the conduct that shaped his situation directly. "I accept 100% responsibility for my actions," he said. "I did not have control of my gambling problem and it took getting caught for me to realize that." He added that he is focused on making himself better through the process and on sharing what he has learned with others going forward. The NFL will not discipline Sorsby for currently known misconduct, but it reserves the right to investigate any further conduct and to weigh his college behavior when determining discipline for any future violations. From a league discipline standpoint, the matter is not fully closed.
Sources
- ESPN: Brendan Sorsby won't sue NFL, will now prepare for 2027 draft
