Published on: June 24, 2026, 12:30h.

Updated on: June 24, 2026, 12:30h.

• The league retains the right to cancel the NFL Supplemental Draft at its discretion
• Quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who has publicly acknowledged his struggle with gambling addiction, was hoping to enter the NFL via the Supplemental Draft
• The NFL informed Sorsby in a letter that he has not demonstrated accountability for his actions

The National Football League (NFL) has officially cancelled the 2026 Supplemental Draft, creating yet another hurdle for quarterback Brendan Sorsby in his pursuit of a return to professional football.

Gambling Addiction Issues

As reported by ESPN, the NFL communicated its decision to Sorsby and his legal representatives in a letter following Sorsby’s filing to enter the Supplemental Draft.

The NFL Supplemental Draft, held in the summer, is designed for eligible college athletes who encounter significant changes in their situation after the main draft declaration deadline. This includes scenarios like loss of NCAA eligibility or unexpected withdrawal from school.

Teams that select such players sacrifice their corresponding pick in the subsequent year’s draft. However, this draft does not occur annually. The last draft involving player selections was in 2019, when the Arizona Cardinals selected safety Jalen Thompson in the fifth round.

Communication from the NFL

Within the letter addressed to Sorsby, the NFL stated that according to the collective bargaining agreement, they possess the authority to decide whether or not to hold the draft. ESPN indicated that the league considered Sorsby a potential distraction as teams prepare for training camps.

Sorsby has been at the center of a gambling controversy after admitting to placing extensive sports bets while playing NCAA football across Indiana, Cincinnati, and finally Texas Tech. This includes an admission in court documents of having wagered on his own team during his time at Indiana, violating NCAA regulations.

As a consequence, the NCAA has deemed him permanently ineligible. Sorsby was set to start as the quarterback at Texas Tech after transferring there from Cincinnati in a lucrative NIL deal last December.

NCAA Regulations on Gambling

NCAA policies prevent student-athletes from wagering on any NCAA-sanctioned sports, whether collegiate or professional, with permanent loss of eligibility facing those who bet on their own team or on teams from their school in different sports.

A U.S. District Court Judge issued a temporary injunction against the NCAA on June 8, potentially allowing the 22-year-old quarterback to restart his Texas Tech career. However, after the Big 12 sought federal court action to prevent Sorsby from rejoining the league and taking punitive action against Texas Tech, he decided to pursue the NFL Supplemental Draft (June 15).

In the NFL Communication from Lawrence Ferazani, General Counsel of the NFL Management Council, shared by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero on X, Sorsby was informed that no other players had attempted to enter the Supplemental Draft for this year. The completion date for players to apply for the draft was June 22.

Lack of Accountability According to the NFL

“As per our Collective Bargaining Agreement, the League possesses the exclusive authority to determine if a Supplemental Draft should occur in any given year.

Your request—filed just three business days before the deadline, without any accompanying information or documentation, and only after abandoning your recent legal efforts to escape NCAA penalties—does not warrant the League to change established plans. The matters raised in your request are too consequential and closely linked to the League’s principal integrity interests to facilitate a thorough review within the proposed timeframe.”

The letter addressed concerns regarding Sorsby’s actions, asserting that his petition to enter the Supplemental Draft failed to show accountability for his conduct or commitment to uphold the NFL’s guidelines concerning competitive integrity.

Considering the CFL as a Possibility?

“Even after being informed of the NCAA’s decision to revoke your college eligibility in May, you pursued litigation to avoid the ramifications of that decision rather than accepting responsibility for your actions. Your attempt to enter the NFL only came after discontinuing those legal efforts,” the letter elaborated.

Sorsby’s legal team has announced plans to contest the NFL’s decision with the NFL Players Association.

Ferazani concluded the letter by advising Sorsby to prepare for the possibility of entering the NFL through the 2027 Draft.

In April, Sorsby completed a rehabilitation program for his gambling addiction after acknowledging his involvement in betting that breached NCAA rules.

Sorsby’s future remains uncertain. Reports have mentioned the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a potential option; however, the CFL season commenced on June 4, and no team currently holds his negotiation rights, which makes it challenging for him to play professional football in Canada this year.