Steelers Get Intriguing Unexpected Update On Top QB Target Ahead Of 2027 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers may get an official chance at a top quarterback prospect in 2027 after the 2026 supplemental draft fell through. Former Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is spending 2026 away from competitive football, but he's still preparing for the NFL. With longtime college and NFL quarterback coach Rich Scangarello helping develop his football IQ, Sorsby could become an intriguing prospect next April.

General Manager Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be searching for their next long-term answer at quarterback when the 2027 NFL Draft arrives. While most prospects are spending this fall building their résumés on the field, Sorsby is taking a different route toward the professional level. Following a gambling-related controversy and treatment for gambling addiction, Sorsby is using his year away to prepare for the next level as NFL insider Tom Pelissero explained on Saturday. To do this, Scangarello is helping him shift his focus from a traditional pre-draft throwing session toward a more comprehensive development process. For Pittsburgh, that could make Sorsby a name worth monitoring. 

Scangarello's experience could help prepare Sorsby for those demands. However, Sorsby will still need to demonstrate that his mental development translates into accurate throws, sound decisions, and consistent execution on the field.

“Brendan Sorsby is 'game-planning' to face a different NFL defense each week this fall – a process he hopes will give him an edge in the 2027 draft,” Pelissero noted.

That assessment adds to the intrigue surrounding Sorsby’s future. If he can continue developing his understanding of the game with Scangarello’s help, he could enter the 2027 NFL Draft as a more polished quarterback than he would have been without this additional time to work on his game.

Why Sorsby Could Interest The Steelers

Sorsby has demonstrated the ability to make plays as both a passer and a runner, offering the kind of versatility that modern offenses increasingly value. His mobility can extend plays, create opportunities when protection breaks down and force defenses to account for another threat. For Pittsburgh, that combination could be appealing if the organization is looking for a developmental quarterback with long-term upside.

The Steelers' interest would depend on their roster and confidence in Drew Allar or Will Howard heading into 2027. However, if they decide to invest in a young passer, Sorsby could offer an exciting combination of physical tools, college experience and additional preparation time. His unusual circumstances could of course, affect his draft position. If other teams approach his evaluation cautiously, Pittsburgh would need to determine whether his potential justifies the investment.

NFL organizations must consider a prospect's judgment, accountability and readiness to handle the responsibilities that come with a professional career. Sorsby's commitment to recovery and continued personal progress will be important parts of that assessment.

For the Steelers, drafting Sorsby would require looking beyond his arm talent and athleticism. They would need confidence in his development, his understanding of the circumstances surrounding his absence and his ability to move forward responsibly. His year away provides an opportunity to prepare, but it doesn't erase the questions that NFL teams will need answered.

Sorsby won't have the benefit of another college season to improve his draft stock, making his training and pre-draft evaluations especially important. His work with Scangarello could help him demonstrate a stronger understanding of defensive reads, offensive concepts and the mental demands of professional football. Ultimately, however, teams will still need to evaluate his throwing ability, mechanics, accuracy and decision-making.

Would you be interested in a prospect like Sorsby come 2027? Be sure to continue to follow us for more news.

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