Steelers Given Pricey Strategy To Nab QB Brendan Sorsby

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2026 NFL season with hopes of remaining a playoff team once again. With 42-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center for another year in the Steel City, the franchise is readying itself for yet another quarterback change. Veteran head coach Mike McCarthy, hired in January, will take the helm for his first season in Pittsburgh. The known "quarterback whisperer" will have his work cut out for him after Rodgers announced he will be hanging up the cleats at season's end. 

McCarthy and company have already begun their quarterback school, where young quarterbacks are put through a learning process to better their game. This usually involves refining footwork, ensuring the signal-caller makes the correct reads, and arm mechanics. The Steelers' two young quarterbacks, Drew Allar and Will Howard, have gotten a taste of the quarterback school, and McCarthy has spent a lot of one-on-one time with the two so far. It's not a surprise that McCarthy wants to get started on developing these two early, as they could be a part of the quarterback situation as soon as next season. 

McCarthy is no stranger to developing high-profile quarterbacks, like Rodgers. A name that has been making headlines lately at the position is now-former Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The gunslinger has been mocked to go in the first round of the 2027 Draft, but after gambling issues were brought to light, his eligibility has been a rollercoaster. The former projected first-round pick decided to enter the NFL's Supplemental Draft.

Now, the Steelers have the option to bring him in if they want to use one of their picks next year to do so. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Tim Benz gave an analysis on what the Steelers should give up for him. 

"If the Steelers honestly think Sorsby is someone they would’ve liked to take in next April’s first round, and they think the gambling issue is being properly managed, they should put that first-round bid on him now. Don’t mess around and low-ball," Benz wrote. "But if they think he’s anything less than a first-rounder, don’t do it. If they think there might be another QB or two better than him available next spring, forget about it."

If the Steelers brass is ready to risk it all, they could use a first-round pick on the quarterback. With Pittsburgh trying to compete in 2026, if they have a winning record, they would be out of reach in attempts to get a lottery pick. However, with Sorsby's high-level talent, would the calculated risk be worth it? 

Giving up a first-rounder at any point is a lot, but if Sorsby can prove he has his act together, the play and potential are worth a shot. Sorsby racked up 2,800 yards and 36 total touchdowns in 2025 as a Red Raider. There's no question he will bring a ton of interest from teams, but the issue is his off-the-field behavior. The Steelers are no strangers to players who have been known for their off-the-field issues, so this wouldn't be something new for them. With the team once again looking for its franchise quarterback, this move could make sense. 

The Steelers' 2026 Quarterback Situation Would Only Get More Complicated

The main issue here wouldn't be Sorsby's talent or even his issues; it would be the fact that if he were drafted, there would be five signal-callers on the roster. Pittsburgh is carrying two inexperienced, young players at the position in Howard and Allar, and Rodgers and veteran backup Mason Rudolph round out the room. This is already an issue, and adding Sorsby would just perpetuate it. 

There would be even more difficult decisions at the spot. Pittsburgh is already in a conundrum now; just imagine adding a fifth arm to the mix. 

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