Carolina Panthers are finally getting dragged into the NFL’s biggest offseason storyline involving QB Brendan Sorsby
The Carolina Panthers were listed as the #2 best fit for quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the NFL supplemental draft according to ESPN’s Ben Solak. Let’s break down whether or not the Panthers should get involved.
The on-going situation involving Brendan Sorsby is quickly becoming the NFL’s biggest offseason storyline after the former Texas Tech quarterback declared for the NFL’s supplemental draft and now the Carolina Panthers are getting dragged into the conversation.
If you’re not familiar with the situation, here’s a quick run down. Sorsby, the former Texas Tech quarterback, was caught red-handed with a gambling problem and fought against the NCAA for months to get another year of college eligibility. Instead, Sorsby has now decided to enter into the NFL’s supplemental draft, a rare process in which teams can submit a blind bid of a draft pick they’re willing to give up in 2027. The team with the highest “bid” will get Sorsby and lose a pick in that round in next year’s draft.
Sorsby was viewed as a first-round talent in the 2027 NFL Draft, so it’ll be interesting to see what teams plan to offer for him in the supplemental draft, with many predicting a second-round pick likely being the winning offer. Multiple teams are expected to be interest and all 32 teams are sending scouting parties down to Sorsby’s Pro Day on July 10.
Should the Carolina Panthers be interested in submitting a bid for Brendan Sorsby?
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted earlier in the week that any team with long-term question marks at the quarterback position should, at the very least, inquire about adding Sorsby. The obvious teams include the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons being other teams with iffy QB situations after the 2026 season.
ESPN’s Ben Solak threw some other names out there that would be the best team fits for Sorsby’s talents and included the Carolina Panthers as the second-ranked team. Note, that Solak’s rankings was based on the best situation for Sorsby, not necessarily the team that needs a QB the most. Here’s his explanation for Carolina.
The Panthers are oddly thin at quarterback for June, as behind Bryce Young they have only Kenny Pickett, Will Grier and Haynes King. Much of what coach Dave Canales does for Young — getting the ball out of his hands fast with big one-on-one winners on the outside — would work for Sorsby. And Sorsby could contend with Pickett for the QB2 job while getting up to speed on the under-center aspect of Canales’ offense. But if Sorsby were forced into action, Canales has run plenty of shotgun RPOs to take advantage of Young’s fast release and natural footwork, and Sorsby brings much of the same.
Ben Solak
ESPN
Assessing the team’s quarterback situation, outside of Bryce Young
Notice how Solak referred to Sorsby as a potential QB2 replacement for the Panthers and not someone that would push Bryce Young for the starting job, like some people out there are saying. Young isn’t going anywhere for the next two years and the Panthers have full confidence in him becoming a long-term starter for this team.
Behind Young, the Panthers made the questionable decision to sign Kenny Pickett as the backup and trade away veteran Andy Dalton. Head coach Dave Canales was a big fan of Pickett coming out of college but, Pickett has desires to be a starting quarterback again in the NFL and only signed a one-year deal.
One player in the room that is intriguing is UDFA rookie Haynes King. King is currently working with the third-team offense and, with a strong showing in training camp and the preseason, could easily make a push for a roster spot.
I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily a thin room as Solak makes it out to be. But, Sorsby would certainly increase the level of competition behind Young going into the 2026 season if the Panthers made this move.
What is Bryce Young’s future really in Carolina and could Brendan Sorsby be a potential option?
As I previously stated, the Panthers have a lot of confidence in the direction Young is headed leading this team. With another positive season, the Panthers will have no problems handing over a long-term extension to the former first overall pick. But, what happens if everything falls apart with Young?
In that case, one would think having another option in the building would be a major benefit and Sorsby could provide that. However, I’m in the belief that if things do come crashing down with Young, the Panthers would be better off resetting completely by acquiring a veteran replacement instead of getting another young option in there.
General manager Dan Morgan has constructed a solid roster ready to contend in the next 2-4 years. Adding another young quarterback to the mix like Sorsby would reset the team’s window and lead to another major roster overhaul.
I do not see Sorsby as a long-term option for Carolina and believe the Panthers already have one in Young. And if you view him as a backup option at best, you’re not going to offer a top draft pick, meaning another team is going to outbid you for his services. And I’d be perfectly fine letting Sorsby be another team’s problem if I were Dan Morgan.