If the Rams find yourself needing one other quarterback subsequent yr, whether or not it’s as a result of Matthew Stafford retired, and/or Stetson Bennett is not on the roster, then the at the moment jobless Brendan Sorsby could be a fantastic choice within the 2027 draft.
Unable to play within the NFL, the CFL, or for a university program in 2026, Sorsby will likely be taking a yr off following his sports activities playing scandal on the NCAA degree, betting on Indiana’s video games whereas he was a member of the crew. The NFL has separated itself from Sorsby this yr by deciding to not have a supplemental draft, and so is the Canadian Soccer League after they formally barred Sorsby from signing with a crew this yr.
However as a participant who has higher instruments than Bennett, and a ceiling comparable with a few of the prime quarterbacks within the 2026 draft, the Rams ought to take an extended take a look at Sorsby as a day two or day three choice now that he’s barred from taking part in soccer this yr.
That is actually unlucky, as taking part in within the CFL would have been an enchanting alternative for Sorsby to show to the world—and the Rams—that he’s a rising star.
And he wouldn’t be the primary. Listed below are a handful of nice tales that began within the CFL, a possibility that the league has determined to disclaim itself of with Sorsby.
The CFL as a stepping stone
Some will ask, “Would the CFL be a viable stepping stone?” The reply is a powerful sure! Listed below are three quarterbacks specifically whose skilled careers started within the CFL and who, between them, have received a number of NFL awards and a Tremendous Bowl. One in every of them has been inducted into the Corridor of Fame.
Started his skilled soccer profession with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders as an undrafted free agent in 1994. Throughout his five-year tenure with the Stamps, he was a four-time all-star and led the crew to a Gray Cup victory, the place he was named MVP. Garcia ranks among the many franchise’s all-time leaders in passing and speeding, peaking in 1997 with 4,573 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.
In 1999, Garcia debuted within the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. With the Niners, Garcia made three Professional Bowl appearances (for the 2000, 2001, and 2002 seasons) and led the crew to the playoffs in 2001 and 2002.
Was chosen 99th general within the fourth spherical of the 1971 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins and within the thirty ninth spherical of the 1971 Main League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. After extended negotiations with the Dolphins failed, Theismann elected to signal with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Soccer League for $50,000 per season. Throughout his three years in Toronto, he led the Argos to a Gray Cup and was an All-Star twice.
In 1974, the Washington Redskins obtained Theismann’s rights from the Dolphins in alternate for the crew’s 1976 first-round draft decide. Like the present LA Rams, the Redskins at the moment had their very own FT picks philosophy; in reality, they drafted within the first spherical solely 3 times over a twenty-plus yr interval. And, identical to the Rams selecting Ty Simpson this season with Matthew Stafford firmly in cost, the Redskins have been truly set on the QB place with each Billy Kilmer and future Corridor of Famer, Sonny Jurgensen, on the roster.
Dec 9, 1984; Irving, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann (7) on the sector previous to the sport towards the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK
Theismann, naturally, was itching to get on the sector, however he was third within the batting order within the QB room, so what did he do? He volunteered for punt return duties. It seems he was fairly good at it, returning 15 punts for 157 yards with a median of 10.5 yards per return and an extended return of 44 yards throughout his rookie season. He lastly noticed some QB motion in 1975, and from 1976 to 1985, he began 124 video games, main the crew to back-to-back Tremendous Bowls, profitable in 1983, the season he additionally received league MVP. He was additionally voted to 2 Professional Bowls alongside the way in which.
Jul 26, 1997; Canton, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Warren Moon (1) previous to the sport towards the Minnesota Vikings at Fawcett Stadium for the Corridor of Fame recreation. The Vikings beat the Seahawks 28-26. Necessary Credit score: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Photos
Went undrafted within the 1978 NFL Draft primarily as a consequence of pervasive racial bias towards Black quarterbacks on the time. Relatively than choosing him to play quarterback, many groups provided to draft him as a large receiver or defensive again. Unwilling to vary positions, Moon bypassed late-round draft curiosity (which was solely assured as a backup or a transformed participant) and signed with the Edmonton Eskimos within the Canadian Soccer League.
He should have thrived on the poutine.
Warren Moon performed six seasons within the Canadian Soccer League (CFL) for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1978 to 1983, throughout which he was really outstanding. He received an unprecedented 5 consecutive Gray Cup championships (1978–1982) and was named the league’s Most Excellent Participant in 1983 earlier than shifting on to his renaissance within the NFL. Whereas within the CFL, Moon threw for 21,228 yards and 144 touchdowns throughout his 96 regular-season video games, together with his unbelievable 1983 season, when he threw for a staggering 5,648 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, and he was named a CFL All-Star and the Schenley Most Excellent Participant.
In 1984, Moon made his extremely anticipated transition to the NFL, signing with the Houston Oilers. In his first season, Moon set the Oilers’ single-season file for passing yards (3,338). By the conclusion of his tenure in Houston in 1993, he held the franchise’s prime six single-season passing yardage totals.
In 1990, Moon was named the Related Press NFL Offensive Participant of the Yr. That very same season, his 9 video games of 300 or extra passing yards tied the NFL single-season file set by Dan Marino in 1984.
Traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994, Moon continued to supply at an elite degree. He set a franchise file with 4,264 passing yards that season and broke the membership file for cross completions in consecutive years — 371 in 1994 and 377 in 1995. His 33 landing passes in 1995 matched his profession excessive from 1990 and established one other Vikings single-season franchise file.
At age 41, Moon continued to defy expectations. With the Seattle Seahawks in 1997, he led the NFL in passing yards per recreation (245.2), set franchise information for cross completions (313) and passing yards (3,678), and earned one other Professional Bowl choice.
In his NFL profession, Moon amassed 3,988 completions on 6,823 makes an attempt for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns throughout his 17 NFL seasons.
On the time of his retirement, Moon ranked third all-time in each completions and passing yards, and fourth in landing passes. He was chosen to 9 Professional Bowls with three totally different groups, cementing his legacy as one of the vital prolific passers in professional soccer historical past.
Sorsby would thrive within the CFL
Cellular quarterbacks with an excellent arm, who can throw precisely whereas on the run, are the quintessential QBs within the CFL. Sorsby owns all of these abilities. If he had flown beneath the radar and been allowed to play in Canada, he may need elevated his worth to potential NFL suitors by exhibiting out. As it’s, his choices are severely restricted for the upcoming yr. How a lot can he do to remain on groups’ radar with a yr off? Not a lot, I believe.
Maybe if he doesn’t get chosen in subsequent yr’s draft, he’ll select the route taken by a corridor of famer, eh!
