Vikings Have Sneaky Opportunity with Embattled QB
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not be eligible to return to college in 2026 after several gambling violations. He’ll be forced to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft this summer or bide his time for another unknown option in 2027.
Naturally, as Sorsby is tentatively considered a 1st- or 2nd-Round pick — at least he was before the gambling ordeal — he’s gaining attention as an intriguing, high-risk option for quarterback-needy teams. Therefore, it’s time to ask: Why not the Vikings?
Minnesota’s QB Room Makes the Longshot Idea Interesting
Sorsby Cannot Return to NCAA
Sorsby lost. The Athletic‘s Justin Williams wrote this week, “The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s request to have his athletic eligibility reinstated for the 2026 college football season, sources briefed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic.”
“The NCAA has deemed Sorsby permanently ineligible, a result of its investigation into his gambling violations, which include bets made on Indiana football in 2022 while Sorsby was a member of the Hoosiers. Texas Tech will appeal the NCAA’s decision, according to a letter from university president Lawrence Schovanec sent to Tech supporters on Tuesday.”
His next pivotal step is on June 22nd. Williams explained, “According to Sorsby’s lawsuit against the NCAA, the deadline for him to apply for the NFL Supplemental Draft is June 22. That’s the path Sorsby would likely pursue if he remains unable to play college football in 2026.”
“Being selected in the supplemental draft would offer Sorsby an opportunity to make an NFL roster for the 2026 season as opposed to waiting for the 2027 NFL Draft next spring.”
The Scouting Report
For better or worse, Sorsby has it all. He’s 6’3″ and 235 pounds, so absolutely prototypical height and weight for an NFL passer. His processing speed might need some improvement; he leaves the pocket a bit too prematurely at times, and he obviously won’t start for a team on Day One.
But the rest is there, including elite NFL-worth arm strength, accuracy, and glorious size.
NFL Draft Buzz on Sorsby: “Sorsby’s skill set translates to a backup quarterback with developmental upside who could push for a starting role if his processing catches up to his physical tools. The arm talent is real — he can make every throw required in modern NFL offenses, and his athleticism provides a safety valve that coordinators will appreciate when designing run-pass options and bootleg concepts.”
“Sorsby enters the draft as a mid-round selection who needs time to develop but has the physical foundation to carve out an NFL career. His dual-threat ability provides immediate value on scout team looks, and with proper coaching on pocket presence and coverage recognition, he could develop into a capable starter.”
He can eventually cook with the proper tutelage — and if he stays out of trouble vis-a-vis beating the gambling addiction.
NBD added, “The arm strength, mobility, and competitive makeup are all present — now it’s about refining the mental processing and trusting his preparation when the structure breaks down.
“He’s not walking into a building and winning a job in Year One, but there’s enough on tape to believe he can develop into a solid NFL quarterback if placed in the right developmental situation.”
Supplemental Draft Rules
The Supplemental Draft is strange and rare, which is probably why you thought, “We still have a Supplemental Draft?” when you opened an article. Sparingly, yes, the event still occurs.
In rare circumstances — like Sorbsy’s — when a player becomes available, the league hosts the Supplemental Draft. It unfolds like a bidding system. Collectively, general managers would determine Sorbsy’s value, and for example, if he warranted a 4th-Round pick, the bid winner would basically spend their 2027 4th-Rounder early.
In short, teams that use a supplemental draft pick lose that same selection in the next NFL draft. Arizona used a 5th-Round bid on safety Jalen Thompson in 2019 and forfeited its 2020 5th-Rounder in the process.
Would the Vikings Peek around His Profile?
The Vikings have four quarterbacks at the moment: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Looking at the lineup like that, there’s no room for Sorsby — or anybody really.
Most fans expect Murray or McCarthy to emerge as a decent-or-better quarterback in 2026, perhaps propelling Minnesota to the postseason. But if not, the club would probably be back at square one, eyeing the 2027 NFL Draft for a new quarterback.
Sorsby, via the Supplemental Draft, would kickstart the process. That is: if the Vikings already love Sorsby — Kevin O’Connell has almost certainly studied him a bit by now — why not join the bidding fun?
The process would boil down to his draft-pick price tag, which will not be known until next month.
Sorsby said this week via Instagram, “If I’m blessed and fortunate enough to have the opportunity to continue my college career at Texas Tech, I know I will get the support I need, including through the school’s Center for Students in Addiction Recovery.
“I am deeply sorry to everyone I’ve disappointed and am committed to the hard and necessary work ahead.”
It’s also worth noting that the Vikings have a recent and rich history of adding players from the University of Cincinnati, where Sorsby played for two seasons:
- Eric Wilson (Cincinnati)
- Jake Golday (Cincinnati)
- Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati)
- Gavin Gerhardt (Cincinnati)
- Joe Huber (Cincinnati for 2yrs)
Sorsby turned 22 in January.
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