Brendan Sorsby spent months fighting for his football career. The NCAA took it. He tried the NFL next. That did not work out either.

The NFL announced it will not hold a supplemental draft this summer, leaving the 2027 NFL Draft as the only way for Sorsby to enter the league. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news on X on June 23, reporting that a letter was being sent to Sorsby and all 32 NFL teams to inform them of the decision.

Sorsby had applied for the supplemental draft on June 15, even after being granted an eligibility injunction by a judge. He was found to have placed more than 9,000 bets totaling at least $90,000 over four years, including roughly 40 wagers on Indiana football games while he was with the program.

The NFL's letter, released by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, made the league's position clear.

"By all accounts, you are a talented player with the potential for future success," the letter read, per Bleacher Report. "We encourage you to focus on preparing for possible entry into the NFL through the 2027 NFL Annual Draft."

That is about as direct as it gets. The NFL never used the word suspension. Either way, Sorsby is sitting out the entire 2026 season.

His lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, was not taking it quietly, though. He went straight to Yahoo Sports after the decision came out.

"This is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement, and we intend to pursue the player's rights with the NFLPA," Kessler told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

After the decision, fans poured in their reactions under Schefter's post.

Here is what fans had to say about Brendan Sorsby's situation

Sorsby's legal troubles have continued since February, when Cincinnati Bearcats sued him over an exit fee. Now he will have to wait till next year's NFL Draft.

"He is officially stuck in football purgatory until 2027. Absolutely wild," one fan wrote on X.

A court injunction gave him college eligibility back. Big 12 programs threatened boycotts. He applied for the NFL. Now the NFL has said no too. A fan felt the weight of what one decision cost him at this stage of his career.

"One decision just cost him a year of NFL opportunities," he posted.

Sorsby threw for 5,613 yards and 45 touchdowns across two seasons at Cincinnati while adding 1,027 rushing yards and 18 scores. The talent was never the issue here. One fan pointed to what Sorsby could still do while waiting for 2027.

"He can play in the CFL until he gets drafted to the NFL, which is the only way he'll get a chance," read the comment.

Yahoo Sports confirmed Sorsby's camp is also exploring legal action against the NFL's decision, so multiple options are being looked at right now.

Meanwhile, other fans questioned the NFL's decision to cancel the supplemental draft. "What about all the players besides sorsby?" he wrote.

As Sorsby will have to wait for months before the 2027 NFL Draft, what do you think about the NFL's decision to shut down Sorsby's chances to hit the gridiron? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar