CBS Sports Proposes Four-Team Trade Involving Jefferson, Bengals, Vikings, Lions, Browns

CBS Sports analyst Cody Benjamin proposed a highly speculative four-team NFL trade involving the Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns that would send star wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the Vikings to the Bengals. In exchange, the Vikings would receive Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II, and multiple future draft picks, while the Bengals would reunite Jefferson with quarterback Joe Burrow and fellow LSU alum Ja'Marr Chase. The Lions would acquire defensive end Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals, and the Browns would get a modest draft pick for cornerback Newsome and defensive end Julian Okwara. While the trade could make sense for most teams involved, Minnesota is highly unlikely to trade Jefferson, who has publicly dismissed any trade rumors, and the Vikings organization has consistently denied his availability. The Bengals see value in pairing Jefferson with their existing receivers to maximize their championship window, while the Lions would benefit from upgrading their defensive line. The Browns, however, stand to gain the least from the deal, receiving only a late-round pick despite losing two players. Overall, Benjamin describes the proposal as 'wild' and acknowledges it is unlikely to happen, but it reflects imaginative thinking inspired by complex NBA-style trades.