One of the most surprising storylines of the 2025 draft was highly talked-about Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders not being selected until the final day.

Heading into the draft, Sanders was widely projected to be among the top quarterbacks taken, with several teams showing strong interest in the talented passer. But things didn’t unfold that way, and for a while, it seemed like he might go undrafted—until his name was finally called.

The Cleveland Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round. Watching it unfold was a bit nerve-wracking, as it was tough not to feel bad for him while other quarterbacks were chosen before him.

Now that Sanders is with the Browns, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll stay there. The NFL can be unpredictable, and the Detroit Lions could use more depth at quarterback. While a trade may be unlikely, it’s not out of the question that Detroit could explore a deal to bring Sanders to the team.

It might sound bold, but hear me out. The Lions didn’t pursue a top quarterback in the 2025 draft—which wasn’t particularly strong at the position—but they clearly don’t have full confidence in their backup options, Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen. Just last season, they even pulled Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement during the playoffs to have a trustworthy veteran behind Goff.

So, if Detroit were to explore an offseason trade for a backup quarterback, why not Sanders?

The proposal would involve Detroit acquiring Sanders, while Cleveland gets Hooker and a 2026 fifth-round selection. Detroit has plenty of picks for 2026, so giving up a fifth-rounder shouldn’t be too painful. They’d still hold onto their valuable first- and second-rounders. On the flip side, Cleveland’s quarterback room is crowded, making it a logical fit for Hooker, who still needs development time.

Hooker might thrive with Cleveland’s group of young quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Detroit could groom Sanders during the year to be a steady backup for seasons to come.

There might be lingering concerns over Sanders’ attitude, but his father—NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders—has defended him strongly, insisting he’s always been prepared for the draft process.

Speaking on Asante Samuel’s “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast, Deion addressed claims of unpreparedness: “When someone says he showed up to meetings unprepared—like, really? Shedeur Sanders? He’s had six offensive coordinators and managed to improve with each one. And now you’re saying he wore headphones in meetings? Anyone who knows my son knows he’s a total professional.”