The safe route is where the Pittsburgh Steelers are accustomed to venturing. It is part of the franchise’s esteemed history, etched into almost every major decision. They rarely make reckless moves, especially when it comes to building a foundation. But this offseason has felt different. Omar Khan’s front office has been intentional about beefing up the roster and solidifying the franchise’s future.
Now, the Steelers have a chance to do something they have never done in the modern NFL Supplemental Draft era. They could bid on Brendan Sorsby.
The Supplemental Draft is expected to be held in late July, and Sorsby could become one of the most intriguing names available. The former Texas Tech Red Raider plans to enter the process amid legal battles concerning his NCAA eligibility. It makes him an interesting opportunity for a team willing to take a calculated swing.
For Pittsburgh, this would be more than a roster decision. It's a chance to make franchise history.
The Steelers have never drafted a prospect during the modern-day NFL Supplemental Draft. In 1984, Pittsburgh selected three players from the CFL Supplemental Draft, but those were professional players from another league. That is different from investing in a raw collegiate prospect. Since then, the Steelers have stayed away from supplemental activity.
But would a quarterback like Sorsby make changing the agenda worth it?
The Pittsburgh Steelers must focus on the big picture while considering Brendan Sorsby during the Supplemental Draft
Sorsby is a dynamic athlete with the type of physical tools that keep defenses uncomfortable. Over the last two seasons, he totaled 63 touchdowns and threw for 5,613 passing yards. That kind of production will always draw attention, especially when quarterback-needy teams are searching for value. If Pittsburgh believes the price is reasonable, the front office could acquire a talented passer by sacrificing a future draft pick.
That is where things get interesting.
Mike McCarthy’s attention this offseason has been centered around developing Drew Allar and Will Howard for an eventual promotion. With Aaron Rodgers racing Father Time, pressure is building inside the quarterback room. Pittsburgh needs to know whether one of its young passers is capable of becoming the next man up.
Hopefully, those evaluations are concrete. But if they are not, Sorsby might be more realistic than fans think. And depending on how the bidding unfolds, he could land in the front office’s hands for a bargain.
Still, I only believe investing in Sorsby makes sense if Pittsburgh has serious doubts about Howard or Allar becoming the player the franchise hoped for. Even then, it would be a tough pill to swallow. The worst thing to witness is a team searching for answers while wasting investments it has already made.
Bidding on Brendan Sorsby must be more than a historic achievement for Pittsburgh. If the Steelers are willing to pull the trigger, the decision has to be rooted in conviction. Otherwise, it would show uncertainty in the present quarterback room and kill the momentum built around Howard and Allar.
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