Shedeur Sanders was one of the biggest names going into the 2025 NFL Draft… until he wasn’t. Despite all the pre-draft hype, the Colorado QB didn’t come off the board until the fifth round, with the Browns finally grabbing him. It was a tough watch—name after name got called, and Sanders just kept sitting there waiting. Painful.
But now that he’s in Cleveland, the door isn’t shut on him possibly landing somewhere else—and one suggestion making the rounds is pretty interesting: What if the Lions traded for him?
Here’s the idea. Detroit sends Hendon Hooker and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for Sanders. It sounds bold, but it’s not totally out there. The Lions don’t seem totally sold on either Hooker or Kyle Allen as Jared Goff’s backup. Remember, they literally pulled Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement last postseason just to have someone dependable behind Goff.
Meanwhile, Cleveland has a jam-packed QB room, and Hooker could actually benefit from a spot like that where he can still grow. As for the Lions? Sanders would be a fun, high-upside option to develop behind Goff.
Yes, there have been whispers about Sanders’ attitude, but his dad—NFL legend Deion Sanders—has gone out of his way to shut that down. Deion pointed out that Shedeur’s had six different offensive coordinators and adapted every time. So the idea that he walked into meetings unprepared? Deion called that nonsense.
Bottom line: this trade pitch is a long shot—but it’s not a bad one. The Lions have extra picks for 2026 and not much QB depth right now. Sanders could be worth the gamble.
Wild Trade Pitch Sends Shedeur Sanders to Detroit as Goff’s Backup
