Total Pro Sports
The 2025 NFL Draft came and went with more than a few surprises, but one of the biggest shockers was Shedeur Sanders slipping all the way to Day 3.
A quarterback who was once projected to go in the early rounds didn’t hear his name until the fifth round, when the Cleveland Browns finally called it. Fans watched in disbelief as pick after pick went by and Sanders, the high-profile Colorado signal-caller, sat waiting.
Now, just weeks removed from that unexpected draft slide, the trade rumor mill is already heating up. One of the most intriguing scenarios? The Detroit Lions making a move for Sanders in a deal that would send backup quarterback Hendon Hooker and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Cleveland.
The Lions have quietly built one of the NFL’s most well-rounded rosters, but the quarterback room behind Jared Goff remains shaky. Last season, Detroit turned to Teddy Bridgewater, who had to come out of retirement during the postseason just to ensure they had a stable backup in place. That speaks volumes about how little trust the team seems to have in Hooker or Kyle Allen.
With Sanders, Detroit could add a young and talented quarterback to develop behind Goff. Conversely, the Browns have a crowded quarterback situation, making it hard to imagine Sanders getting serious reps in Cleveland anytime soon. Hooker, who still needs more developmental time, might actually find a better environment there surrounded by fellow young quarterbacks and a patient coaching staff.
The financial angle works, too. Hooker signed a four-year, $5.7 million rookie deal last year, making him an affordable asset for Cleveland. Detroit, meanwhile, can absorb Sanders’ fifth-round rookie contract with no issues and give him time to settle in behind a veteran starter like Goff.
Concerns about Sanders’ attitude surfaced during the pre-draft process, but his father, Deion Sanders, quickly shot those down. “You’re gonna tell me he was unprepared?” Deion said on the Say What Needs To Be Said podcast. “Anybody who knows my son understands he’s a professional.”
If this trade goes through, it wouldn’t just be a bold move by Detroit. It could also be the beginning of a long-term quarterback plan taking shape in the Motor City.
