By Sunday 
In one of the bolder trade pitches of this offseason, a new scenario has emerged that imagines Shedeur Sanders, former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, landing in Detroit via a swap that could shake up both the Lions and Browns QB rooms.
From Draft Day Drama to Motor City Buzz
Let’s rewind. Many expected Shedeur Sanders to go early in the 2025 NFL Draft. His name floated in first-round projections for months, only to slide all the way to Day 3, where he was finally picked up by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. It was one of the more surprising developments of draft weekend, as Sanders was widely seen as a polished and competitive QB prospect.
Watching Sanders sit through round after round without a call was painful—even for fans with no skin in the game. When the Browns finally selected him, it felt more like a relief than a celebration. But now, some are wondering: was Cleveland ever the right fit?
Why Detroit Makes Sense
Cue the Lions. Despite a stellar 2024 season, Detroit enters 2025 with backup quarterback concerns. Jared Goff remains the unquestioned starter, but behind him are Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen—a duo that doesn’t exactly inspire rock-solid confidence should Goff miss time. Remember, the team had to pull Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement last postseason just to be sure they had a reliable Plan B.
Which is why this proposed trade has some logic to it. Here’s the pitch:
Lions receive: Shedeur Sanders
Browns receive: Hendon Hooker + 2026 fifth-round pick
Detroit has a surplus of 2026 draft picks and could afford to part with one. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s quarterback room is crowded, and Hooker—still viewed as a long-term project—might have a better developmental runway there.
Grooming the Future
For Detroit, the trade wouldn’t just be about improving the QB2 slot. It would be a calculated bet on a young player with clear upside. Sanders showed poise, arm talent, and leadership at Colorado, and while he’s raw, he could be groomed under Goff without any pressure to start right away.
And the concern about Sanders’ mindset? His dad, Coach Prime himself, shut those down quickly. In a recent appearance on Asante Samuel’s “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast, Deion Sanders defended his son against rumors of immaturity or lack of preparation:
“You’re gonna tell me he was unprepared? You’re gonna tell me he had on headphones? Anybody who knows my son understands he’s a professional.”
He added that Shedeur had worked with six different offensive coordinators and leveled up every time—a pretty solid case that the young QB is built for the NFL grind.
Is It Likely? No. But Is It Interesting? Absolutely.
Look, this isn’t the kind of trade you see every day. It’s a little out-there. But that’s the fun of the offseason—imagining what could happen if the stars aligned just right.
With Goff’s contract situation, a Super Bowl window cracking open, and a young, talented roster, the Lions may want to start thinking about their quarterback succession plan. Shedeur Sanders in Honolulu blue? That would be a headline-maker, for sure.
And if he’s as ready as his father says, Detroit might just find themselves a future star—in the backup seat for now.