The Dallas Cowboys looked beyond the controversy surrounding former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, as the team reportedly viewed him as a potential future investment. But one decision by the NFL stopped the plan from materializing.

ESPN's Todd Archer revealed that the Cowboys previously had interest in quarterback Brendan Sorsby as a potential long-term successor to quarterback Dak Prescott, who is entering his 11th NFL season at age 32.

“When Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby put his name in the supplemental draft, multiple sources said the Cowboys had high interest even with the gambling issues that surrounded Sorsby,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote in his article on July 24. “Ultimately, the NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft, denying Sorsby's eligibility this year.”

Archer noted that Sorsby remained on the Cowboys' radar, despite the legal issues that resulted in his NCAA suspension. According to reports, Sorsby placed at least $90,000 in bets that included at least 40 bets on Indiana football while he was redshirting as a true freshman with the Hoosiers in 2022.

Despite controversy, the analyst wrote that the Cowboys viewed Sorsby as a potential developmental prospect behind franchise QB Dak Prescott, because of his significant physical tools and dual-threat ability.

The former Texas Tech signal-caller produced 2,800 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions a year ago, leading the Big 12 in both yards per completion (13.5) and rating (155.1). As a dual-threat quarterback, he also ran for 580 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 carries.

Now that his path to the NFL through the supplemental draft has closed, Sorsby is expected to enter the 2027 NFL Draft.

“Prescott is signed through 2028, so an attempt to potentially find his successor at what could have been a lower-than-expected price would have made sense even if it drew added attention to the Cowboys' quarterback room,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote in his article.

Prescott is under a four-year, $240 million contract with an average annual value of $60 million and is signed through the 2028 season.

Prescott continues to rank among the NFL’s top quarterbacks, so there is no urgent issue at the position. Still, the Cowboys’ limited playoff success with him helps explain why they may be looking at future options.

Beyond Prescott, the depth options are also raising doubts.

Cowboys still have major QB concern beyond Dak Prescott, analyst says

During the Shan & RJ show on 105.3 The Fan on July 27, radio host Shan Shariff said the Cowboys lack depth behind Prescott, and that the team could have pursued Sorsby to meet such roster needs.

"Cause as far as I look at it, the Cowboys don't have a real true backup quarterback," Shan Shariff said during the Shan & RJ show on 105.3 The Fan (YouTube @105.3thefan). "So unless Brian Schottenheimer and the QB coaches have done a tremendous job elevating him [Joe Milton III] in the offseason, you still have questions about not only a successor, you got questions about your number two."

Shariff believes that unless Milton proves himself to be a better backup behind Prescott, competing for the QB2 role with Sam Howell, the Cowboys would have to look for both a successor and a backup for the franchise signal-caller.

The Cowboys have failed to address the backup QB role in recent years, and Shariff believes the franchise could no longer afford to overlook the position as the team plans for the future.

Should the Cowboys invest more heavily in developing Prescott's eventual successor, or continue building around their franchise quarterback? Let us know your thoughts.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar