By Sunday 
Detroit finds itself at the center of a wild 4-team NFL trade scenario—walking away with a major defensive upgrade.
There’s bold, and then there’s NFL-offseason-wild. And CBS Sports just delivered the latter with a trade proposal that puts the Detroit Lions in the middle of a four-team stunner—one that ships Justin Jefferson out of the NFC North and brings a sack-happy Pro Bowl edge rusher to Detroit.
Wait—Jefferson out of Minnesota?
That’s right. In this scenario cooked up by former agent and analyst Cody Benjamin, the Vikings shock the football world by sending superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the Cincinnati Bengals—teaming him up with former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
It’s a fantasy football fever dream. And a nightmare for NFC North secondaries.
But it’s not just Minnesota and Cincinnati making noise. The Browns and Lions are key puzzle pieces too.
The Full Trade Breakdown:
- Bengals get: WR Justin Jefferson (from Vikings), DE Julian Okwara (from Browns)
- Vikings get: WR Tee Higgins (from Bengals), CB Greg Newsome II (from Browns), 2026 first-round pick (from Bengals), 2026 third-round pick (from Lions)
- Lions get: EDGE Trey Hendrickson (from Bengals)
- Browns get: 2026 fourth-round pick (from Lions)
What This Means for the Lions
Let’s skip to the part Detroit fans care about most: Trey Hendrickson in Honolulu blue.
The 29-year-old pass rusher is coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and was second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson? That’s the kind of move that makes offensive coordinators lose sleep.
Yes, the Lions give up a 2026 third- and fourth-round pick in this deal—but this is a team that’s firmly in win-now mode. With Jared Goff leading a loaded offense, Detroit knows its window is wide open. Hendrickson gives them another game-changer on the defensive side.
And let’s not overlook the bonus: this deal also kicks Justin Jefferson out of the division. That alone might be worth a Day 2 pick.
High Risk, Higher Reward?
Of course, Hendrickson comes with a price tag. He’s skipped Bengals minicamp while pushing for a new deal, and any team acquiring him would likely have to hand over a sizable extension. But Detroit has made it clear they’re not afraid to invest in top-tier talent.
The Lions already traded away multiple Day 2 picks to draft receiver Isaac TeSlaa. They’re low on draft capital, yes—but a Hendrickson deal signals clear intent: They’re not just making noise—they’re chasing a Lombardi.
Final Word
Would the Vikings really trade Justin Jefferson? Probably not.
Would the Bengals bite on a deal that turns Higgins and Hendrickson into Jefferson? Maybe.
But if any version of this chaos gets close to reality, the Lions should absolutely stay on the phone. Adding a Pro Bowl pass rusher, subtracting a division nightmare, and staying aggressive in a crowded NFC playoff race?
Yeah, that’s the kind of madness Detroit should embrace.