NFL teams think twice about troubled players

The Cleveland Browns appear poised to pass on Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the upcoming NFL supplemental draft—but not due to his arm talent. The deciding factor? A history of sports betting.

Sorsby recently completed a treatment program after admitting to wagering on college games while at Texas Tech. For an organization as scrutinized as the Browns—still rebuilding around rookie Shedeur Sanders—such off-field baggage is a non-starter. As quarterback coach Todd Monken bluntly put it: "I wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing him into the locker room this summer."

The Distraction Problem

In the NFL, momentum can hinge on a single mistake. The Browns know all too well how off-field issues derail careers—see Deshaun Watson, whose $235 million contract in 2022 was overshadowed by allegations of misconduct, leaving him sidelined and diminished.

Now, with Sanders leading the charge, Cleveland seems done with high-risk gambles on character. The message? "We’re building around stability."

A League-Wide Red Flag?

NFL insiders warn that Sorsby could face a suspension before ever taking a snap, turning any team that drafts him into an immediate gamble. Drafting him would be like signing a contract riddled with fine print—you might get value, but the fine print could bankrupt the entire deal.

The Browns aren’t biting. And in an era where locker rooms police themselves as much as coaches do, that’s a gamble they’re not willing to take.