A bold trade scenario suggests that the Detroit Lions could acquire rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to develop behind veteran starter Jared Goff.

One of the biggest surprises in the 2025 NFL Draft was how long Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes star, remained on the board. Despite being widely projected as a top quarterback prospect and drawing serious interest from several teams, Sanders wasn’t selected until the final day of the draft. As names continued to be called and his wasn’t, many began to wonder if he would be picked at all.

Eventually, the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round. Watching the process unfold felt tough for fans who had expected him to go much earlier.

But landing in Cleveland doesn’t necessarily mean Sanders will stay there. Given how unpredictable the NFL can be, there’s room for speculation—and one such possibility involves the Detroit Lions exploring a deal to bring Sanders in as a developmental option.

The idea might sound far-fetched at first, but it has some logic. Detroit wasn’t in the market for a top-tier quarterback this year, which made sense considering the draft class wasn’t especially deep at the position. However, the Lions still have concerns about their quarterback depth. Their current backups, Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen, haven’t exactly inspired confidence. In fact, the team even coaxed Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement last season to shore up the depth chart during the playoffs.

With that in mind, Sanders could be an ideal target if the Lions decide to make a move. The proposal on the table? Detroit trades Hendon Hooker and a fifth-round pick in 2026 to the Browns in exchange for Sanders. Since the Lions have multiple draft picks coming in 2026, parting with a fifth-rounder wouldn’t do much damage, especially with their higher picks still intact. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room could give Hooker more opportunities to grow in a developmental setting.

Hooker might benefit from competing in a quarterback-rich environment in Cleveland, while Detroit could mold Sanders into a dependable No. 2 option with long-term potential.

Concerns have been raised about Sanders’ attitude, but his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has defended his son’s character and professionalism. Speaking on Asante Samuel’s Say What Needs To Be Said podcast, Deion addressed the rumors, saying, “You’re telling me a guy who’s worked with six different offensive coordinators and improved each time wasn’t prepared for a meeting? Anyone who knows Shedeur knows he’s a pro.”

In the end, this trade scenario might be speculative, but it’s not without merit—especially for a Lions team looking to strengthen its quarterback depth behind Jared Goff.