A way-too-early 2027 NFL mock has the Steelers selecting Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby with the No. 13 pick—adding a possible successor blueprint for life in the AFC North.
Pittsburgh’s long-term quarterback planning is already showing up in offseason chatter, with one way-too-early 2027 mock linking the Steelers to Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby.
The Steelers added Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the 2026 NFL Draft. but the broader question—who holds the job beyond the current window—doesn’t go away just because a prospect was drafted.. Misryoum is seeing a growing storyline around the Steelers’ preference for a specific kind of quarterback fit: strong arm. physical presence. and the ability to function in an AFC North environment where weather. pressure. and coverage are rarely forgiving.
Within that framework, Misryoum notes how Brendan Sorsby checks several boxes scouts often prioritize in this division.. Listed at 6-foot-3 and around 235 pounds. Sorsby has the size profile teams like Pittsburgh to build around—especially when they’re trying to find someone who can push the ball downfield and stay durable as defensive fronts tighten their coverage.
There’s also the “can he survive the pocket?” angle.. Sorsby isn’t just a stand-in-the-pocket type; he’s been described as difficult to bring down in open-field situations when plays break down.. That matters in a division where quarterbacks routinely deal with late pressure. shifting looks. and defenders who hunt for tackles rather than simply contest passes.
The stats behind the hype are part of why Sorsby’s name keeps surfacing in draft projections.. Before returning to school. Sorsby’s production put him among the rising options in the 2026 draft conversation. including a strong touchdown-to-interception profile and elite efficiency metrics.. Misryoum also recognizes why that combination tends to attract early interest: it suggests arm talent. accuracy. and the ability to make progressions without turning every drive into a gamble.
Still, the key word in any prospect evaluation is consistency, and that’s where the conversation becomes more nuanced.. Even when quarterbacks look like top-tier prospects “when everything is clicking. ” teams worry about whether the performance is repeatable—game after game. opponent after opponent. and under different defensive scheming.. That is the part the Steelers—or any organization—would have to believe can stabilize.
To understand why this storyline is sticking, it helps to look at how quarterbacks are valued in a “prototype” era.. Misryoum sees many NFL front offices chasing traits that fit their identity rather than chasing the flashiest player on a board.. For a team shaped by a demanding division. that often translates into quarterbacks who can handle both the physicality of the pocket and the mental grind of processing quickly while pressured.. In that sense, the mock draft isn’t only about one player—it’s about what Pittsburgh appears to prioritize.
Sorsby’s path also feeds the narrative.. He’s not coming from a straight. static college storyline—he’s moved through the transfer portal before. eventually landing at Cincinnati where he became a functional starter and produced meaningful numbers.. Then he chose to return to school once again, before transferring to Texas Tech.. Misryoum reads that sequence as both a risk and a feature: risk. because changing systems can disrupt development; feature. because it also shows willingness to keep improving. chasing opportunity. and responding to coaching shifts.
For the Steelers. the practical impact is straightforward: quarterback is the position where “next year” turns into “next decade. ” and the organization can’t afford to wait until the clock forces a rushed decision.. If the Steelers truly view Drew Allar as a long-term plan but also believe they need a stronger succession timeline. Sorsby becomes an easy fit for an early 2027 target—an option that could align size. arm strength. and playmaking traits with the realities of AFC North football.
Looking ahead, the most telling piece is what Sorsby does in his season at Texas Tech.. Prospects can start to separate from the crowd when they prove they can maintain efficient play through tougher defensive matchups. cleaner decision-making under pressure. and more stable production across a full slate of games.. If he takes another step. Misryoum expects the “2027 pick” conversation to intensify quickly—because quarterbacks with the right physical profile tend to start their climb toward the top of draft boards early.