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Yesterday — 17 June 2026Channel-Sport

Draft Analyst Links Detroit Lions to Brendan Sorsby

The Detroit Lions have one of the NFL’s most stable quarterback situations, which is exactly why a recent suggestion involving supplemental draft prospect Brendan Sorsby caught some attention.

With Jared Goff under contract through the 2028 season and firmly entrenched as Detroit’s starter, quarterback is not viewed as a pressing need in Allen Park. Yet one draft analyst believes the Lions could be a logical landing spot for Sorsby if the young signal caller officially enters the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft.

The idea is not about replacing Goff. It is about planning for the future.

Brendan Sorsby Detroit Lions

Lions Named Among Potential Fits for Brendan Sorsby

Draft analyst Justin Melo recently identified five NFL teams that could make sense for Sorsby, including the Lions, Buccaneers, Colts, Jets, and Cardinals.

The 22 year old quarterback is expected to apply for the supplemental draft after his collegiate career was derailed by gambling-related issues that generated significant public scrutiny.

The supplemental draft provides an alternative pathway into the NFL for players who become eligible after the traditional draft process has concluded. Teams can bid future draft selections in an effort to acquire eligible prospects.

While Sorsby remains an intriguing developmental quarterback, the bigger question is whether Detroit would be willing to spend draft capital on a position that appears secure.

Jared Goff Is Still the Lions’ Franchise Quarterback

Any discussion involving another quarterback must begin with Goff.

The veteran has helped transform Detroit into a perennial contender since arriving in the blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and now Drew Petzing, Goff has thrived in Detroit’s offensive system.

The Lions rewarded him with a long term contract extension, signaling their belief that he remains the quarterback capable of leading the franchise toward a Super Bowl.

That reality makes it difficult to envision Detroit investing significant resources into a quarterback prospect unless the organization views him as a long term developmental asset.

Still, Melo believes there is logic behind the idea.

“Goff is under contract through 2028, but acquiring a young backup wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Melo wrote.

What the Lions Have Behind Goff

The Lions currently have veteran Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Luke Altmyer behind Goff on the depth chart.

Bridgewater provides experience and leadership, but at 33 years old, he is not viewed as a long term solution.

Meanwhile, Altmyer arrived in Detroit as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. Coaches have already praised his ability to quickly absorb Drew Petzing’s offense, making him an intriguing developmental prospect.

That reality may lessen the urgency for Detroit to pursue another young quarterback.

The Lions have consistently shown confidence in their ability to develop players within their system, and early reviews of Altmyer’s progress have been encouraging.

Would Brendan Sorsby Actually Make Sense?

The argument for adding Sorsby centers around value rather than immediate need.

Quarterbacks remain one of the league’s most valuable assets, and teams are always searching for developmental players who can either become future contributors or increase their value over time.

However, Detroit’s current roster construction suggests the organization is focused on maximizing its championship window. General manager Brad Holmes has repeatedly emphasized building through competition and maintaining roster flexibility.

Using future draft capital on a quarterback who may never see the field could be difficult to justify, especially for a team with several areas that may require depth additions throughout the season.

That does not mean the Lions will ignore Sorsby entirely. Like every team in the league, Detroit will undoubtedly evaluate the quarterback and determine whether the talent outweighs the potential risk.

Before yesterdayChannel-Sport

Cleveland Browns may have just had a wrench thrown into its plans with QB Shedeur Sanders as a potential starter

Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns have Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders battling for the starting quarterback job. But the latest development may have just thrown a curveball into the plans Cleveland had.

Leaving mandatory minicamp the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback battle stands between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. However, a new development may throw a wrench in the current battle the Browns have going on. 

Just last week it appeared the idea of Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby entering the 2027 NFL Draft was dead. Now with the latest development around the entire ordeal, the Browns will have a decision to make

Browns taking Brendan Sorsby would all but put Shedeur Sanders on the outside looking in 

According to NFL Network's Tom Pellisero, the Texas Tech quarterback is set to apply for the NFL Supplemental Draft days after news broke he would be able to play during the 2026 college season due to a court order. The back and forth is now over and NFL teams are likely to have a decision to make on the talented quarterback.       

Star QB Brendan Sorsby is applying to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, sources tell NFL Network.

After legal wrangling about his NCAA eligibility, Sorsby - regarded as a first-round talent - now could be the highest-drafted supplemental pick in decades. pic.twitter.com/ltK1SiWZr4

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 16, 2026

From a pure talent perspective, we're talking about a first-round draft profile with Sorsby at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds. If the NFL holds the supplemental draft, then teams would have to decide on what round pick they'd be willing to give up in a potentially loaded 2027 NFL Draft for the Red Raiders quarterback. 

When looking at the Browns quarterback room, Dillon Gabriel is the guy on the outside looking in with Watson and Sanders battling for the job. Cleveland drafted former Arkansas QB Taylen Green in the sixth round and likes him as a developmental piece. I don't expect the Browns to move off of Green and it'd take a stinker of a training camp to change it. 

Todd Monken sounds against the idea of Brendan Sorsby, but things change 

“I don’t think we’re in a position to want to go down that road,” Monken said in early June. “That’s my opinion, that’s not [general manager Andrew Berry’s opinion]. I like the quarterbacks that we have. I think that’s a slippery slope when you go down that, irrespective of talent, right? In terms of the situation he’s in, we all know what that is. He put himself in that situation. We've seen in other sports with players that have been banned for life from playing in professional sports."

Monken has a clear stance on this and it doesn't surpsie becomes he's an old school kind of guy, and what Sorsby allegedly did is tough to look past. However, the Browns have decision makers higher up and all it takes is them to come to the conclusion that the talent is too good to pass up. 

Sanders is a former fifth round pick and while he's great for business with the attraction he gets, Sorsby is far and away the superior quarterback talent. If Cleveland is comfortable with the gambling issues and future of Sorsby, it'd be an easy decision to make. The Browns would be left with the decision to trade or cut Sanders if they were to bring in Sorsby.

If the Browns are going to wager a future pick for Sorsby, I think there's a world he's the starting quarterback in 2026, following a potential suspension the NFL could enforce similar to the one Terrelle Pryor served when taken in the supplemental draft by the Raiders. 

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Cleveland Browns may have just had a wrench thrown into its plans with QB Shedeur Sanders as a potential starter

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

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