Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings are hitching their wagon to two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray, while keeping former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. That has not slowed speculation connecting the Vikings to controversial QB Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby is embroiled in an investigation regarding his admitted gambling during his time at Indiana that has his future at Texas Tech in jeopardy, potentially to the Vikings’ benefit.
A story that began as a fringe possibility continues to gain steam as more time passes.
Vikings Viewed as ‘Floor’ for Potential No. 1 Pick Brendan Sorsby
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings loom as an intriguing potential landing spot for Brendan Sorsby.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe named the Vikings among the plethora of teams that could show interest in Sorsby in a potential supplemental draft.
“The Jets have three first-round picks in 2027, so they can afford to be aggressive. While the Cowboys have been on a mission to restock their defense in the aftermath of the Micah Parsons trade, they could be drawn to Sorsby, who grew up less than an hour from Dallas,” Howe wrote on May 18.
“No one has an extra second-round pick in 2027, but the Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars each have an additional third-rounder. If Sorsby were still available in the third round of a supplemental draft, interested teams might feel compelled at that point to make a bid, recognizing the Vikings could be his floor. That could also be a factor for teams in the second round.”
There are doubts about Sorsby even being eligible for the supplemental draft.
The NFL has not had a supplemental draft since the 2019 season
Sorbsy threw for 2,800-plus yards in each of the past two seasons for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and could hit the NFL with 7,208 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions since the start of the 2022 campaign under his belt.
“Sorsby could focus his attention on trying to play for Texas Tech before entering the traditional draft in 2027,” Howe wrote about the controversial QB. “If he turns that into a quiet year off the field and a loud one on it, he could work his way into the mix for the No. 1 pick and an exorbitantly more lucrative path.”
Brendan Sorsby Facing NCAA Investigation
GettyBrendan Sorsby is not out of the woods yet amid his gambling controversy.
The Vikings may find themselves intrigued by Sorsby. However, his red flags cross the lines between issues on the field and off. Sorsby recently checked himself into a rehabilitation center amid an NCAA investigation for gambling during his time with the Indiana Hoosiers.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that there was “no timetable for Sorsby’s treatment.”
The insider called the decision “unprecedented” for an athlete of his stature, noting it is also far from a resolution.
“According to sources, Sorsby bet on Indiana football while redshirting for the Hoosiers as a true freshman in 2022, a season in which he played in a single game as a reserve. The bets in 2022, according to sources, were on Indiana to win and none came in a game in which Sorsby appeared,” Thamel wrote in April.
“Sorsby’s gambling has not drawn the attention of law enforcement, according to sources, nor has he been linked to anyone attempting to influence the outcome of a game. Sorsby’s gambling, sources said, was a steady flurry of small bets over a period of time.”
Thamel noted that Sorsby was set to be a “face” for college football this coming season.
Lawsuit Looms Brendan Sorsby
GettyAn NCAA investigation is not the only worry for Brendan Sorsby.
He was the top-ranked transfer in ESPN’s rankings and projected as one of the highest-paid, with “more than $5 million” in NIL money expected in 2026. He now has much larger concerns.
Thamel noted the “NCAA has a strict policy against any type of gambling by athletes on ‘intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition,’ and violators are ineligible for competition subject to appeal.”
There is also language for betting on their own sport, which could lead to a permanent ban.
Sorsby is also facing a lawsuit by Cincinnati, which alleges “breach of contract” and seeks $1 million.
Sorsby’s attorneys have called the penalty unlawful and filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. His future with the NCAA and, potentially, the Vikings clearly remains a source of intrigue in NFL circles. His camp requested a quick resolution to his eligibility issue in recent days.
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