Browns' Todd Monken cautions 'slippery slope' of adding Brendan Sorsby
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby may have to enter the 2026 NFL supplemental draft if he is unable to regain his college eligibility after the NCAA stripped it in the wake of a gambling investigation into the 22-year-old.
Despite Sorsby's talent, not every NFL decision-maker would be interested in adding him to the fold after the 22-year-old quarterback bet thousands of dollars on college and professional sporting events - including games where he wagered on his own team while a backup at Indiana.
That includes Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken, who acknowledged adding Sorsby to the fold amid his gambling issues could be a big risk and create a "slippery slope."
"I don't think we're in a position to want to go down that road," Monken said of Sorsby on June 1. "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 put himself in, we all know what that is. He put himself in that situation. And we've seen in other sports with players that have been banned for life from playing in professional sports."
Monken went on to acknowledge that was just his opinion of the matter and didn't necessarily reflect that of Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
"From my end of it, kind of a tough angle to go down that road and think that's going to be your franchise quarterback if he's ever eligible to even play in the NFL," Monken said.
Browns coach Todd Monken was asked about Cleveland's possible interest in the supplemental draft in QB Brendan Sorsby, who is seeking an injunction to play college football after being ruled ineligible because of gambling.
- Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) June 1, 2026
I like the quarterbacks we have ... I think that's a... pic.twitter.com/uDxXqOQZms
Sorsby hasn't yet declared for the NFL supplemental draft - the deadline to do so is June 22 - as he and his attorneys are seeking a temporary injunction that would allow him to play in 2026 after the NCAA denied his request for reinstatement. They are requesting a decision by June 15 to give him ample time to decide whether to enter the supplemental draft if the injunction is denied.
The NFL has not commented onSorsby's eligibility, as he has notapplied to be included in the supplemental draft. That said, it's worth noting that all NFL player contracts contain an "integrity of the game" clause, which reads as follows:
"Player recognizes the detriment to the League and professional football that would result from impairment of public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of NFL games or the integrity and good character of NFL players. Player therefore acknowledges his awareness that if he accepts a bribe or agrees to throw or fix an NFL game; fails to promptly report a bribe offer or an attempt to throw or fix an NFL game; bets on an NFL game; knowingly associates with gamblers or gambling activity; uses or provides other players with stimulants or other drugs for the purpose of attempting to enhance on-field performance; or is guilty of any other form of conduct reasonably judged by the League Commissioner to be detrimental to the League or professional football, the Commissioner will have the right, but only after giving Player the opportunity for a hearing at which he may be represented by counsel of his choice, to fine Player in a reasonable amount; to suspend Player for a period certain or indefinitely; and/or to terminate this contract."
That - plus the NFL's six key rules outlined in its gambling policy - would likely lead the league to keep a close watch on Sorsby, even if it's unclear whether he will face any immediate discipline.
While that will scare some decision-makers like Monken off, others are keeping an open mind. That includes Berry, who was asked about Sorsby and the supplemental draft at a June 2 media availability.
"No different than we do every year," the Browns general manager said. "We'll do the work on all the prospects and then we'll make the appropriate decision for the organization."
At present, the Browns have four quarterbacks on their 90-man roster. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are battling for the starting job while Dillon Gabriel and sixth-round rookie Taylen Green are jockeying for position behind them.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Todd Monken says adding Brendan Sorsby would be 'slippery slope'