Brendan Sorsby will not sue NFL after no supplemental draft; preparing for 2027

The NFL Players Association and Brendan Sorsby will not pursue litigation after the NFL decided not to hold a supplemental draft this year, according to a memo sent to all 32 teams and reported by ESPN. The memo makes clear the union and player are stepping away from a legal challenge and shifting focus to the next regular draft cycle.

The memo to clubs was intended to update team front offices on the union’s assessment and the player’s stated plans. It does not, however, include the full background of any internal discussions or the rationale that led to the league’s operational decision.

What the team memo said

The leaguewide memo, circulated to every NFL club, lays out three core points: the NFL opted not to hold a supplemental draft this year; the NFL Players Association will not initiate litigation related to that decision; and Brendan Sorsby will not pursue legal action at this time. That is the status the memo conveys to teams.

Clubs were told the memo summarizes the union’s position and the player’s intent rather than providing a detailed timeline of any deliberations between the parties. The note functions as a status update for personnel departments and scouting staffs across the league.

Brendan Sorsby status and next steps

Per the memo, Brendan Sorsby will pivot away from a possible legal route and work toward eligibility for the 2027 NFL draft. The memo frames this as a transition to a prep-focused approach: continued training, evaluations and alignment with NCAA and NFL draft eligibility requirements ahead of 2027.

Practically, that means Sorsby will be treated as a longer-term prospect. Teams should expect him to appear on pre-draft radars again as he completes the next stages of collegiate play or any permitted pro-day opportunities. The memo reduces immediate uncertainty for roster decision-makers by removing the prospect of ongoing litigation that could have affected player status or timelines.

Why the league did not hold a supplemental draft

Supplemental drafts are rare and only held when timing and eligibility create a clear path for a player to enter the league outside the regular draft. The memo and public reporting do not provide a detailed explanation of the NFL’s internal calculus, but the practical outcome is straightforward: league offices determined this year did not present a workable supplemental window.

That operational choice can reflect calendar constraints, the particulars of eligibility claims, or the league’s judgment about precedent and policy. Teams should understand that not holding a supplemental draft is an administrative decision rather than a formal adjudication on a player’s merits or future eligibility.

What teams and scouts should watch

With Sorsby targeting the 2027 draft, clubs should track several concrete items: updated game tape, injury and medical reports available through standard channels, size-and-skill measurements, and any pre-draft workouts or pro-day appearances he makes in the run-up to 2027.

Scouts will want to catalog film changes, note physical development and record any evaluations from position coaches or independent evaluators. Given the longer timeline, front offices can place Sorsby on long-term boards and plan to revisit him in evaluation meetings before the 2027 cycle.

Roster managers should also consider ripple effects: not holding a supplemental draft leaves other hopeful candidates to pursue eligibility through alternate routes or await the next regular draft. The memo’s clarity that there will be no litigation allows teams to proceed with standard offseason planning without the uncertainty of a pending legal dispute.

Source and caveats

This report is based on the memo sent to all 32 teams and summarized by ESPN. The memo states the NFL Players Association and Brendan Sorsby will not pursue litigation following the league’s decision not to hold a supplemental draft this year.

Readers should note the memo does not detail internal deliberations, the identities of those who drafted the memo, or whether alternative dispute avenues were discussed before the decision. Those specifics were not included in the material circulated to clubs and are not part of the public record at this time. The situation could evolve if additional information emerges or parties revisit their positions.

Key takeaways

The NFL decided not to hold a supplemental draft this year, the memo says. The NFL Players Association and Brendan Sorsby will not pursue litigation. Sorsby will focus on preparing for the 2027 draft cycle and should be considered a longer-term scouting project by NFL teams.

We will update this report if further details from the memo, additional league statements, or new reporting from teams and the union become available.

Source: ESPN — Sorsby won’t sue NFL, will prepare for ’27 draft.