As we opined in this space recently, the Steelers would be wise to do their homework on quarterback prospect Brendan Sorsby, who apparently will be available in a supplemental draft this summer.
You likely know Sorsby’s story by now. He is a recovering gambling addict. He made thousands of bets totaling more than $90,000 while in college, including at least 40 at Indiana while he was a member of that team.
Sorsby recently completed a 35-day in-person rehab. He was going to play for Texas Tech this season, after transferring from Cincinnati, but amid all the fuss over his eligibility decided to apply for the supplemental draft.
You also know that the Steelers have for years been throwing stuff at the wall trying to replace Ben Roethlisberger. Everybody from Mitch Trubisky to Kenny Pickett to Russell Wilson to Justin Fields and now Aaron Rodgers 2.0 has taken the reins. They still don’t have a future quarterback. They are desperate.
Does this make for a marriage?
Probably not. It doesn’t seem like the Steelers’ style to surrender a second- or third-round pick for a troubled quarterback prospect. But whether they’re willing to admit it or not, they are indeed desperate. And talent talks.
Their post-Rodgers plan appears to be something like this: See who’s better — Drew Allar or Will Howard — and pick between them, while possibly adding a high pick in next year’s draft.
To which I would say, why not add that “high pick” at a lower cost now? That would be Sorsby, who is a better prospect than either Howard or Allar.
Allar probably has the best arm, but the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Sorsby isn’t lacking there. And he has a decided edge in the run game, showing a serious ability to make defenders miss.
As ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote, “When he’s gone, he’s gone. Sorsby has seriously impactful acceleration for a quarterback. In the open field, he eats up grass and consistently makes safeties miss with head fakes and sharp cuts. Sorsby hit 19.9 mph on a 41-yard scramble against TCU, per Telemetry Sports. The only quarterbacks to clear 20 mph in the NFL last season were Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Justin Herbert, Justin Fields and Drake Maye (per NFL Next Gen Stats).”
That ought to open your eyes. Is Sorsby a perfect prospect? Obviously not. He flashed his all-around talent in early games last season before finishing poorly.
But that’s why Mike McCarthy makes the big bucks, right? He’s supposed to be the quarterback whisperer. He already has two prospects on his hands. Why not make it three?
If the Steelers really want Sorsby, they could move on from Mason Rudolph and find a way to stash one of the three prospects on injured reserve.
The risk is obvious and not small. If Sorsby has a gambling relapse, the NFL could ban him for life.
Some believe the NFL might punish Sorsby immediately, but that seems doubtful considering a notable recent precedent. Less than a year after getting drafted by the New England Patriots, LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested for allegedly having placed more than 8,900 bets while in college, including at least six involving LSU football. The NFL did not punish him.
It’ll be fascinating to see how the supplemental draft plays out. Here’s how it works: The worst teams get priority by round and submit an offer that corresponds to the round. So if the Jets bid a first-round pick on Sorsby in Round 1, they’d get him and relinquish a first-round pick in the 2027 regular draft.
If nobody’s willing to sacrifice a first-round pick, we’d go to Round 2, where a team would have to give up a second-round pick, and so on.
With the likes of Arizona, Miami, Cleveland and the Jets possibly interested, the Steelers might have to act fast.
I wouldn’t give up my first-round pick, but I’d be ready to with a second-rounder, risk and all.
Talent talks.