QB Brendan Sorsby Has Zero Protection and the NFL Is About to Get Sued Over It

Alright, 12s, buckle up, because there's some wild, messy drama brewing in the NFL right now that could totally change how teams think about bringing in new talent, especially at quarterback. We're talking about Brendan Sorsby, a college QB, who's trying to get into the supplemental draft, and get this: the guy has ZERO union protection. Like, none. This isn't just some technicality, folks, this is a legal showdown brewing that could rock the league. Think about it, every team, including our Seahawks with Sam Darnold under center, keeps an eye on the QB landscape, and this situation? It's bonkers.

The Union Black Hole: No Safety Net for Sorsby

So here's the deal: Brendan Sorsby played college ball with no union protection, which is normal for college athletes. But now he's heading to the NFL, and the NFL Players Association says he won't be a union member until he's actually drafted or signs an NFL contract. This is a HUGE problem. If the NFL decides, for whatever reason, to just flat-out deny Sorsby a spot in the supplemental draft, the NFLPA won't have any standing to challenge that move. They can't do a thing! It's like being left out in the cold. Now, if he *does* get drafted and *then* gets suspended, that's a different story. The NFLPA could mobilize and file a formal grievance, just like they did back in 2011 when the Raiders drafted Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft and he got suspended. The union filed a grievance then, and the ruling was actually upheld. But for Sorsby right now, before he's even in the league, he's on his own when it comes to the union. That's a scary place to be if you're a young guy trying to break into the pros.

Lawsuits and Leverage: Kessler Comes to the Rescue?

Just because Sorsby doesn't have the NFLPA in his corner yet doesn't mean he's totally without options. Nope, not by a long shot. Enter lawyer Jeffrey Kessler. This guy is a legal heavyweight, and he's likely going to step up and file a lawsuit if the league denies Sorsby a spot in the supplemental draft. We're talking about a move similar to a lawsuit Kessler already filed on Sorsby's behalf in Texas, where he asked for a temporary or preliminary injunction to force the league to include him. This isn't just a simple lawsuit, though. It's a strategic legal chess match. Kessler would pick a jurisdiction he thinks would give Sorsby the best chance to win. But, surprise surprise, the league could do the exact same thing, trying to get a court declaration that Sorsby isn't eligible in a location they feel favors their side. The whole thing could absolutely hinge on *where* these cases are filed. This isn't just about a player getting drafted, this is a full-blown legal battle with major implications for how the NFL handles player eligibility in the future. The only "plausible" argument against Sorsby getting into the supplemental draft is that he knew he'd lost his NCAA eligibility because of gambling and should have just applied for the regular 2026 draft. But honestly, who cares about "plausible arguments" when there's a potential lawsuit looming? The biggest question now is whether the NFL will even let this dude into the draft. It’s a total mess, and we’ll be watching to see how this plays out, because every single NFL team is paying attention. What a way to start the season, right?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.