Brendan Sorsby’s public apology for his gambling addiction was a necessary confession, but his NFL future looks uncertain. By dropping his legal pursuit of the 2026 supplemental draft, he will now wait until the 2027 NFL draft. Sorsby, however, should prepare for the possibility of not being drafted and have a Plan B option.
It’s nearly impossible to look through Sorsby’s 2025 stats at Cincinnati and not predict him to be drafted early. He threw for 2,800 yards, tossed 27 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions, and had a 61.4% completion rate. It’s not just passing that makes Sorsby a good quarterback. He can also get yards himself, as he rushed for 580 yards, the highest of his collegiate career. On paper, any NFL team in dire need of a quarterback would be glad to take Sorsby.
Aside from the scandal, Sorsby also will suffer from not playing in 2026. Before he declared for the supplemental draft, the NCAA officially ruled him ineligible for the season. The 2027 draft is predicted to be deep with quarterback prospects like Arch Manning, Jaden Craig, Trinidad Chambliss, and CJ Carr. They will have the benefit of playing this year, as opposed to training privately.
NFL General Managers will see Sorsby as not just a player who missed a year, but a public relations nightmare. He should seriously be preparing for a career outside the league
Option 1: Play Internationally
The Canadian Football League took a hardline stance against Sorsby, but that could change in the future. Professional sports leagues have revoked lifetime bans for players in the past, including Billy Taylor, Merle Hapes, Connie Hawkins, and Pete Rose. Sorsby, while not facing a lifetime ban, must be willing to communicate openly with CFL executives for a team to sign him.
Another international option for Sorsby is to play in the European League of Football. Unlike the CFL, Europe hasn’t stated whether it would allow him to enter the league. It could allow him to get on a field next season, and make the story about football again. Sorsby would be taking a major salary cut, but it would be better than practicing in an empty facility.
Option 2: Sign With The UFL
If ELF takes the same stance as CFL or Sorsby turns down a potential offer, his second-best option is the United Football League. The UFL is a great talent pipeline to the NFL, with players including Hakeem Butler, Jake Bates, and Jalen Redmond all coming from UFL teams. For Sorsby, the UFL shouldn’t be viewed as a backup plan, but rather as his lifeline, especially since he was offered a chance to join by co-owner Mike Repole.
The UFL season primarily kicks off in the spring, but there have been talks of potentially moving the start time to late February or March for 2027. If the UFL season begins before the NFL draft, it could work out in Sorsby’s favor, giving NFL GMs a chance to see live game performances rather than a Pro Day workout. Spending a full season in the UFL would also allow Sorsby to fully prove his rehabilitation, shake off the inevitable rust, and build trust with teammates and coaches. A dominant, controversy-free season in the UFL could be Sorsby’s one-way ticket to an NFL training camp invitation in the near future.
Option 3: Transition to a Post-Playing Career Plan
Sorsby may not want to hear that his playing days are over. Given the magnitude of his gambling scandal, though, he must prepare for the very real possibility that he will never put on a professional football helmet again. His apology and completion of rehabilitation gave him peace of mind, but they aren’t the keys to a guaranteed NFL career.
If the door to playing professional football locks permanently, Sorsby must pivot his future in a way that keeps him connected to the sport. Coaching, player development, or even working in quarterback training programs would allow him to use his experience in a meaningful way. His story, while controversial, could also serve as a powerful lesson for collegiate athletes who want to go pro.
At this point, Sorsby’s career sits at a crossroads, but the reality is simple. NFL teams will think twice about drafting him rather than a prospect with a clean record and another collegiate season under his belt. Sorsby still has pathways forward, but none of them are automatic. His next decision will determine whether he becomes a cautionary tale about wasted potential or an example of how a career can be rebuilt after a collapse.
