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For several months, Brendan Sorsby remained one of football’s most intriguing unknowns. The former Texas Tech Red Raiders and Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback found himself at the center of conversations involving the NFL supplemental draft and New York Jets discussions
His eligibility status became the subject, as were theories about whether teams would be willing to invest a draft pick in his services despite the controversy surrounding his departure from college football. The Jets were occasionally mentioned among the teams that could have at least explored the possibility.
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As it turns out, none of those conversations matter anymore.
The NFL decides for everyone
The NFL has officially declined to hold a supplemental draft, effectively removing Sorsby from the league’s immediate plans and ensuring he will not be eligible to join an NFL roster until at least the 2027 NFL Draft. Sorsby was reportedly the only player to petition for entry into this year’s supplemental draft. That left the league with a decision to make.
Ultimately, the NFL’s Management Council determined that holding a supplemental draft was not warranted, citing concerns related to accountability and the circumstances surrounding Sorsby’s situation. In a statement explaining the decision, the league pointed directly toward issues that it believed were not adequately addressed in Sorsby’s petition.
“Your Petition does not address these matters, nor does it demonstrate accountability for your conduct or indicate whether, or how, you would adhere to the League’s rules and policies governing the integrity of competition.”
The league also encouraged Sorsby to focus on preparing for potential entry through the 2027 NFL Draft process. The full letter can be found below.
What this means for the Jets
Whether the Jets would have seriously pursued Sorsby remains open to debate. New York currently appears comfortable with its quarterback room, led by Geno Smith and supported by younger developmental options; however, quarterback-needy teams are always looking for future answers, making Sorsby’s situation worth monitoring. Now, that discussion becomes unnecessary.
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The Jets don’t have to decide whether he was worth a late-round selection. They don’t have to investigate how his situation would impact the locker room. They don’t have to determine whether his talent outweighs the risk. The NFL made those decisions irrelevant. The story, however, isn’t over. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports Sorsby’s legal team is planning on pursuing the decision through the NFLPA while arguing that the league’s decision violates both the collective bargaining agreement and applicable law.
Whether that challenge gains traction remains to be seen. For now, however, the NFL has spoken. That means Sorsby’s path to professional football appears delayed for at least another year, while teams like the Jets can officially move their attention elsewhere. One of the offseason’s more unusual quarterback storylines has finally received clarity, even if the final chapter has yet to be written.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: NFL officially makes decision on Jets-Brendan Sorsby speculation
