Many fans and analysts speculated that Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst would snag a quarterback in April, as the Packers typically develop quarterbacks even when they have a long-term starter in place. When the draft came and went without a new project QB to grow into a potential backup, Green Bay pivoted to veteran Tyrod Taylor for 2026.
Given their history of quarterback development, it’s almost too obvious that people have thrown around Brendan Sorsby‘s name now that he’s entering the supplemental draft. But it just wouldn’t make a ton of sense for the Packers to pursue the embattled quarterback.
You know the story by now. Sorsby was set to be Texas Tech’s quarterback this year. However, he left the school after an investigation proved his astonishing gambling accusations true. They dated back years and include Sorsby betting on Indiana when he was a backup there.
A Texas judge ruled in favor of Sorsby playing for the Red Raiders in 2026, with minimal punishment. When the backlash hit, what happened next was probably in the best interests of all parties involved.
Sorsby left school.
He will enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, which will take place later in July. Because the Packers didn’t draft a quarterback in April, many, including ESPN’s Ben Solak, have brought up Green Bay as a potential landing spot.
In that Sorsby reminds me of Willis, I am unsurprisingly interested in his potential with LaFleur in Green Bay. The Packers’ current QB2 is Tyrod Taylor, whom they signed after the 2026 draft. I’d wager they wanted to snag a quarterback in that draft, but the board never fell their way. The QB3 is Kyle McCord, who doesn’t at all fit the mold of a Packers backup quarterback; they’ve typically prioritized athletes, such as Willis and Taylor, at that spot. Sorsby would likely beat out McCord for the QB3 role and be first in line for QB2 after Taylor’s one-year deal expires in 2027.
Why would the Packers want a backup quarterback who will bring plenty of baggage and media scrutiny from the rip? In an ideal world, the backup quarterback is seldom heard from unless something unfortunate happens to your starter. Whatever team rolls the dice on Sorsby — assuming he’s a backup in 2026 — is inviting a hell of a media circus.
Of course, the hope is once the regular season begins it will die down. Still, look at the Shedeur Sanders situation in Cleveland last year. The Cleveland Browns took Sanders in the fifth round last year, and there was a constant drumbeat all season long until he finally got his shot under center. Even after Sanders got the nod, the noise didn’t die down.
The circumstances with Sorsby in Green Bay would be different because Jordan Love has cemented himself as QB1, and that isn’t changing. It’s also true that there would be a lot of hoopla wherever Sorsby lands, at least initially.
Green Bay doesn’t court chaos. The chaos alone will often outweigh any positives for the Packers when considering a certain player. The fact that Sorsby would be a backup makes it even less probable. Still, there will be plenty of people who believe it makes sense. Solak is one. Dane Brugler of The Athletic Football Show is another.
There are also some interesting teams with an established starter that could maybe be a fit. A team like the Bucs or the Packers. With the Packers, we know that traditionally that organization loves to draft quarterbacks before they need one. They really look at it as a value.
If the Sorsby sweepstakes were more of a free-agent situation, it would make a bit more sense. The fact that it would cost the Packers a pick, plus the media negativity that would come with it, makes the idea increasingly unlikely.
The Packers stepped outside its comfort zone last year when Gutekunst and Co. traded for superstar Micah Parsons. That move shocked many but made sense for many reasons. But just because Green Bay’s front office is expanding its horizons doesn’t mean they’ve changed their philosophy entirely.
Aside from wanting to develop a young quarterback, the Sorsby scenario doesn’t align with Green Bay’s tendencies. It’s a fun idea to speculate about. Still, it would be a pretty shocking development, and very likely not worth the risk.
