Sanders is not guaranteed to stay with the Browns just because they have him. The Detroit Lions need a more reliable quarterback room because the NFL is a crazy place. The idea that they could work out a deal with the Browns to get Sanders to the Motor City isn’t completely outlandish, but it is a stretch.
A Crazy Trade Offer: Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions
Listen, I realize this sounds crazy. The 2025 quarterback class wasn’t very good, so it’s a good thing the Lions weren’t among the teams looking for a well-known quarterback. However, that doesn’t change the fact that they don’t appear to trust their backup quarterbacks very much.
Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker. In order to have a dependable veteran to rely on in the event that Goff was unable to play, the Lions even coaxed Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement during the postseason last season.
What about Sanders, then, if the Lions were to trade for a new backup to Goff in the offseason?
The idea is that the Browns receive Hooker and a 2026 fifth-round pick, while the Lions receive Sanders. Losing a fifth-round pick shouldn’t be too painful for the Lions because they have a ton of picks scheduled for 2026. Their desired first and second round selections would still be available to them. Additionally, Hooker would be a better fit because the Browns have a large quarterback room.
who appears to require further time to mature.
It might help Hooker to be surrounded by young quarterbacks in Cleveland. Additionally, the Lions may have a quarterback in Sanders that they can develop during the season to serve as a reliable backup for many years to come.
Although Sanders’ father, NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders, has maintained that his son was ready for his pre-draft NFL meetings and that there were no issues, there may be some worries about his attitude.In response to the notion that his son was unprepared, Deion said, “When you sit up there and say something like he went into a meeting unprepared, like, dude,” during an interview on Asante Samuel’s “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast. Sanders, Shedeur? You’re going to tell me he wasn’t prepared when we’ve had six different [offensive] coordinators and he’s still managed to function and level up each time? Are you going to tell me that he wore headphones? My son is an expert, as anybody who knows him knows.
