Brendan Sorsby will remain the NFL’s No. 1 story until next month’s supplemental draft, and until the Pittsburgh Steelers officially pass on him, there’s enough “what-if” to merit a conversation about him. Intriguing as the talented quarterback might be, insiders Mark Kaboly and Ray Fittipaldo are confident Sorsby will be playing elsewhere in 2026.

“I don’t think they’re in any position to take a flyer on a guy like Brendan Sorsby,” Fittipaldo said Sunday night on the KDKA No. 1 Cochran Sports Show. “He’s intriguing, but to me, there’s just too much baggage with all that gambling stuff in his background.”

With good size, a live arm, and plus athleticism, Sorsby has first-round traits. His gambling scandal prevented him from starting at Texas Tech and being one of the top 2027 prospects. But with the Steelers already pouring into young quarterbacks like Will Howard and Drew Allar, Fittipaldo doesn’t see the Steelers taking another swing on one.

“I could bet you this, it’s not gonna be the Steelers,” he said.

Kaboly agreed.

“I would more wait til next year and figure out the first-, second-round draft pick of a quarterback next year,” he said. “I would pass on Sorsby.”

Both agreed Pittsburgh is unlikely to be Sorsby’s suitor. Even with a quarterback-minded head coach like Mike McCarthy, Sorsby’s baggage is likely too much for the team to stomach. Rarely does Pittsburgh draft players with clear off-field red flags. Perhaps the last one the Steelers selected was Ohio State OT Mike Adams, taken off Pittsburgh’s board after failing a marijuana test and put back on it after Adams personally pled his case. He ultimately proved to be the wrong pick.

Factor in Sorsby’s situation as a future face of the franchise, its eventual starting quarterback, and it’s too much of a distraction for a first-year head coach trying to win now.

Fittipaldo speculated that the Cleveland Browns or New York Jets will draft him instead. Given their depth charts, that’s possible. But it’s equally likely that a dark-horse team submits the winning bid. A Kansas City, Philadelphia, or Dallas. A strong organization where Sorsby will sit and learn instead of being rushed into the lineup. Pittsburgh qualifies as that type of team, but this isn’t the right time to take that chance.