--- title: "Palazzolo: Steelers eye Sorsby in supplemental draft" description: "Third-round flier on QB with elite traits could force Pittsburgh’s hand despite crowded room and red flags." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/steelers-predicted-to-use-drew-allar-pick-on-brendan-sorsby-841898d4 published: 2026-07-01T12:19:37.499+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T12:19:37.499+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["football"] --- # Palazzolo: Steelers eye Sorsby in supplemental draft > Third-round flier on QB with elite traits could force Pittsburgh’s hand despite crowded room and red flags. Steve Palazzolo projects the Pittsburgh Steelers will select quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the supplemental draft using a third-round pick, a move that could push Will Howard out of the depth chart. The decision hinges on Sorsby’s physical upside and arm talent, which scout as first-round traits, despite his gambling-related eligibility issues that forced him from Texas Tech last season. Pittsburgh’s quarterback room already includes rookie starter Drew Allar and Howard, but the Steelers’ willingness to absorb risk suggests they view Sorsby as a potential long-term answer. The supplemental draft operates outside the normal NFL Draft calendar, allowing teams to select players whose eligibility was compromised by off-field circumstances. Sorsby’s case stems from a suspension tied to sports wagering, which ended his 2023 season at Texas Tech after he was ruled ineligible in October. His physical profile—6-5, 230 pounds—and completion rate of 69.8% on 421 attempts last year underscore the traits that scouts covet, even if his resume carries asterisks. The gambling suspension adds a layer of scrutiny, as teams increasingly weigh character concerns against on-field potential in draft evaluations. The Steelers’ interest arrives as Mike McCarthy’s club searches for a developmental QB to pair with Allar, the 2024 third-round pick who opened training camp as the presumptive starter. Howard, a 2024 UDFA, flashed in limited preseason action but lacks the draft pedigree to command roster certainty. A third-round supplemental pick would require Pittsburgh to forfeit a 2025 Day 3 selection, a cost the team appears willing to pay if Sorsby’s medicals and character review clear. The financial commitment—potentially millions in guaranteed money—reflects the Steelers’ aggressive approach under McCarthy, who has prioritized high-ceiling athletes over conventional risk assessment. Palazzolo’s reporting aligns with Pittsburgh’s recent pattern of aggressive roster maneuvering, including moves for George Pickens and Jaylen Warren, which prioritized athletic freaks with boom-or-bust potential. The Steelers’ interest in Sorsby isn’t just about filling a roster spot—it’s a calculated gamble on upside. The team’s history under McCarthy shows a preference for athletes who project as difference-makers, even if their development curves are steep. Sorsby fits that mold: a big-armed project with the size to withstand NFL punishment but the baggage to derail his career. The Steelers’ willingness to surrender a 2025 draft pick underscores their belief that his traits are too tantalizing to ignore, even if the path to relevance is littered with uncertainty. This approach mirrors the league’s broader shift toward prioritizing physical tools in late-round gambles, where the reward often outweighs the risk in the eyes of front offices chasing upside. The supplemental draft pick would effectively reset the quarterback competition, forcing the organization to make a definitive choice between development and stability. If Sorsby clears all hurdles, his selection would reinforce Pittsburgh’s philosophy of drafting “the best player available,” regardless of position or off-field concerns. The move also sends a message to the rest of the league: Pittsburgh isn’t afraid to roll the dice on talent, even when the odds are long. It’s a high-stakes play that could either redefine the franchise’s QB future or expose the fragility of its roster-building strategy. The Steelers’ QB room is already crowded, but the potential of a player with Sorsby’s traits—prototypical size, elite arm strength, and a track record of production in college—is too compelling to ignore. The team’s willingness to absorb the risk of a gambling suspension reflects a broader league trend where character concerns are increasingly secondary to on-field potential, especially for players with first-round traits in later draft processes. For Pittsburgh, the decision will hinge on whether Sorsby’s physical tools can outweigh the red flags, a gamble that could either solidify the franchise’s QB future or backfire spectacularly in the coming seasons. Steelers president Art Rooney II has repeatedly emphasized the importance of drafting “the best player available,” regardless of position. If Sorsby clears all hurdles, his selection would reinforce that philosophy, even if it means reshuffling the quarterback room. The move also sends a message to the rest of the league: Pittsburgh isn’t afraid to roll the dice on talent, even when the odds are long. ## Why this matters Drafting Sorsby would signal Pittsburgh’s bet on upside over stability, testing whether elite traits can outweigh off-field liabilities. The Steelers’ QB room is already crowded, but Sorsby’s prototypical size and arm strength represent a swing-for-the-fences play that could either elevate the franchise or backfire spectacularly. The decision will force the organization to weigh short-term roster logistics against long-term upside, with potential ripple effects on Allar’s development and Howard’s roster future. It also reflects a broader league trend: teams increasingly prioritize athletic upside in late-round gambles, even when character concerns loom large. The move underscores how front offices now treat supplemental draft picks as high-leverage opportunities to acquire talent they might otherwise miss in the regular draft. ## Frequently asked ### Why would the Steelers draft Brendan Sorsby in the supplemental draft? Steve Palazzolo reports Pittsburgh views Sorsby as a high-upside developmental QB with first-round traits, despite his gambling-related suspension at Texas Tech. The team may forfeit a 2025 Day 3 pick to absorb the risk. ### Who could be displaced if Sorsby is drafted? Will Howard, the Steelers’ 2024 UDFA quarterback, is the most likely candidate to lose roster spot if Sorsby is added. The move would also test rookie starter Drew Allar’s long-term standing. ### What are the risks of drafting Sorsby? Sorsby’s gambling-related ineligibility at Texas Tech raises character concerns, and his supplemental draft selection requires Pittsburgh to surrender a 2025 draft pick. His development remains unproven at the NFL level. ### How does the supplemental draft work? The supplemental draft allows teams to select players whose eligibility was compromised by off-field issues. Teams submit blind bids, and the highest bid wins the player, forfeiting the corresponding pick in the next regular draft. ### What is Sorsby’s physical profile? Sorsby measures 6-5 and 230 pounds, with a strong arm and 69.8% completion rate on 421 attempts in 2023. His traits align with first-round QB projections, though his resume includes a suspension. ### Who is Steve Palazzolo? Steve Palazzolo is a senior analyst at Pro Football Focus and a respected NFL draft analyst whose predictions often shape roster expectations. His reporting on Sorsby’s potential Steelers move carries significant industry weight. ## Sources & Citations - [Steelers Predicted to Use Drew Allar Pick on Brendan Sorsby - Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/onsi/pittsburgh-steelers-predicted-use-drew-allar-pick-brendan-sorsby) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-19) --- Cite: Palazzolo: Steelers eye Sorsby in supplemental draft. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/steelers-predicted-to-use-drew-allar-pick-on-brendan-sorsby-841898d4