NFL teams think twice about troubled players

The Cleveland Browns seem ready to skip drafting Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the upcoming NFL supplemental draft. The main reason isn’t his throwing arm—it’s his history with sports betting. Earlier this year, Sorsby checked into a treatment program after admitting he gambled on college games while enrolled there. That kind of issue doesn’t just disappear when a new jersey is handed out. Coaches and teams often worry that off-field drama follows players like baggage. That’s exactly what Browns quarterback coach Todd Monken hinted at recently when he said he wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing Sorsby into the locker room this summer. It’s not about talent—it’s about distraction. Imagine trying to focus on a 4th-quarter comeback when teammates keep wondering if a bad throw was really just a mistake or something deeper.This isn’t the first time the Browns have faced this kind of situation. Years ago, they signed Deshaun Watson to a massive contract despite serious off-field allegations. Watson never played a full season after that deal and never looked like the same player. Now, the Browns are building around rookie Shedeur Sanders instead. The message seems clear: they’re done with high-risk, high-reward gambles on character. Some NFL insiders now suggest the league might suspend Sorsby before the season even starts. If that happens, any team that picks him would be dealing with uncertainty right away. It’s like buying a used car with a known engine problem—you might get lucky, but the odds aren’t great.