Detroit Lions Could Be Eyeing Trade for QB Kenny Pickett

Could the Lions be in the market for another quarterback? While Jared Goff remains the clear-cut starter and is coming off a stellar season, questions persist about the depth behind him.

Currently, second-year QB Hendon Hooker is set to be Goff’s backup, but the former Tennessee star has yet to see action in an NFL regular-season game. That uncertainty is why CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin suggests Detroit might pursue a more experienced option — Kenny Pickett.

Why a Pickett-to-Lions Move Makes Sense

Benjamin points out that the Cleveland Browns, who traded for Pickett earlier this offseason, may already be open to moving him. With Cleveland drafting Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, plus re-signing veteran Joe Flacco, the Browns’ quarterback room is now overcrowded.

“Pickett might be better off jumping to Detroit in another trade, where the Lions could use a more experienced No. 2 behind Jared Goff,” Benjamin wrote. “Dan Campbell would appreciate his toughness.”

And let’s be honest — that sounds exactly like the kind of player Campbell gravitates toward.

A Smart, Low-Risk Addition?

Pickett, still only 26, isn’t necessarily a long-term starter, but with 25 NFL starts under his belt and solid play last season in Philadelphia, he’d bring immediate credibility to Detroit’s bench. Plus, with the Browns declining his fifth-year option, he’d be a short-term, affordable asset.

Given Cleveland’s depth, Detroit might be able to land him for a late Day 3 pick in 2026 — a minimal cost for valuable insurance.

The Bottom Line

This wouldn’t be about replacing Goff. It’s about adding a reliable, battle-tested backup. If Kenny Pickett is available, Detroit may be the ideal place for his next opportunity.