Bengals trade proposal acquires Justin Jefferson, solves Trey Hendrickson problem in 3-team deal
Joe Burrow surely wouldn't complain about a reunion with Justin Jefferson.
That's the centerpiece of a trade proposal pitched by CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin. The deal also gets the Cincinnati Bengals off of Trey Hendrickson amid contract negotiation struggles.
The full terms:
- Bengals get: WR Justin Jefferson (Vikings), DE Julian Okwara (Browns)
- Vikings get: WR Tee Higgins (Bengals), CB Greg Newsome II (Browns), 2026 first-round pick (Bengals), 2026 third-round pick (Lions)
- Lions get: EDGE Trey Hendrickson (Bengals)
- Browns get: 2026 fourth-round pick (Lions)
Minnesota likely would never actually consider moving Jefferson. But getting a star WR, a solid CB and a first-round pick back isn't the worst possible package in return.
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The Bengals would gladly take this opportunity to put Jefferson together with Ja'Marr Chase for Burrow.
The Lions only give up a couple picks to pair Hendrickson with Aidan Hutchinson, so they'd like this.
And the Browns give up a couple players to gain a draft pick, something that is probably fine in their rebuild.
The craziest part of this deal is definitely moving Jefferson. That seems highly, highly unlikely.
But if somehow Minnesota ever decided to do that, maybe it'd take a deal of this size to find a way to properly value him.
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