Steelers Face Risky Gamble On Shocking Draft Opportunity

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have another complicated quarterback decision sitting ahead of them, and this one could force the organization to weigh upside against serious risk.

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has become one of the more unusual names connected to the NFL’s supplemental draft conversation. Pittsburgh already has Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar in the quarterback room, but the long-term picture is still far from settled. That is why Sorsby is so interesting. The Steelers are not desperate for another young quarterback just to add one. They already have two developmental passers on the roster. However, Sorsby’s talent level makes this a different discussion. If he were simply a late-round project with off-field questions, the answer would be easy. Pittsburgh could pass and move on.

That does not seem to be how some evaluators view him. Steelers beat reporter Nick Farabaugh recently gave his opinion on what kind of pick would make sense for Pittsburgh if Sorsby is available in the supplemental draft.

"To me, I can’t put up anything higher than a third-round pick," Farabaugh said. "Really, if you want me to be super comfortable, a fourth-round pick would be where I would go. If you could get him for a fourth-round pick, totally off-the-board difference-maker then, because that is a guy you’re getting at a really reduced cost. Because if he didn’t have these issues and played at Texas Tech, we’re probably talking about him as a first-round pick."

That is the entire debate. Sorsby may carry first-round traits, but he does not carry a clean first-round situation. That changes everything. The supplemental draft is not just about whether a team likes a player. It is about how much future draft capital a team is willing to sacrifice. If the Steelers used a third-round supplemental pick on Sorsby, they would lose their third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If they used a fourth-round pick, they would lose that fourth-rounder instead. That makes Farabaugh’s comfort level important. There is a major difference between taking a swing and overcommitting to a situation filled with uncertainty.

The Steelers have already been tied to the possibility of monitoring Sorsby as an unexpected franchise-altering quarterback option. That interest makes sense only if the price is right. Pittsburgh cannot treat him like a normal draft prospect because this is not a normal draft process. Sorsby is entering the supplemental draft after a legal battle surrounding his college eligibility. The report noted that Sorsby had until June 22 to decide whether to apply, and that the situation stemmed from sports betting violations while he was in college. That is where the risk begins. 

There is no way for the Steelers to ignore the background of the situation. Sorsby’s talent might be real, but any team considering him has to be comfortable with the full picture. That includes the football evaluation, the off-field review, the potential league response, and whether the player can handle the transition into an NFL building.

Still, Pittsburgh has to at least consider the football part. Sorsby was productive at Cincinnati before transferring to Texas Tech. He showed mobility, toughness, and enough passing ability to be viewed as a legitimate future NFL starter by some evaluators. That is why Farabaugh’s point about a fourth-round pick is so compelling. In a normal situation, a quarterback with that kind of upside may never be available in that range.

Steelers Have To Decide How Much Risk Is Worth It

The safest answer is to stay away. The Steelers could decide they already have enough young quarterback development happening and that preserving 2027 draft capital is more important. That would be understandable. Pittsburgh may need those picks to move around in next year’s draft, especially if the franchise is still searching for a long-term quarterback.

The aggressive answer is different. If the Steelers believe Sorsby has real starting upside and their background work checks out, a fourth-round pick could become difficult to ignore. That is the exact range Farabaugh mentioned as a comfortable spot. It would not be a reckless first-round swing. It would be a calculated gamble on talent at a reduced cost.

That is where Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy would have to be honest with themselves. Do the Steelers believe Sorsby is clearly better than the young quarterbacks already in the building? Do they believe his issues are manageable? Do they believe he is worth losing a future pick in a draft where Pittsburgh may need every asset possible?

Those questions matter more than the hype. Sorsby could become a rare opportunity. He could also become a mistake that costs the Steelers a valuable pick. That is why the round matters so much. A third-rounder may feel too rich. A fourth-rounder may be where the conversation starts to make sense.

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