The Detroit Lions might just be the best team in football. Not too bad for a group everyone was panicking about after only one week, right?

But this team is just getting warmed up. Even though they’re 4-1 and own arguably the NFL’s most potent offense, the defense still has room for improvement. It’s not as if the Lions have a weak defense, but sitting around the middle of the pack won’t cut it when the playoffs arrive.

So, what’s the move before the November 4 trade deadline? Could this finally be when Detroit makes a massive, tone-setting deal? There’s one trade rumor that’s been circulating for a while now — and it doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon.

Enter: Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

The Detroit Lions would cement themselves as Super Bowl favorites with a Trey Hendrickson deal

Yes, we’re going there again. And for good reason — it’s realistic.

From Cincinnati’s perspective, they’re not true contenders. Do they really believe Joe Flacco can save the season? Maybe, but if that fails in the next couple of weeks, expect Hendrickson’s name to be all over the rumor mill.

On Detroit’s end, this is a bona fide championship-caliber roster. They’ve been knocking on the door for the last two years, but haven’t broken through. Now, with Aidan Hutchinson healthy and dominating, the Lions could unleash something special.

Picture last year’s NFL sack leader lined up opposite Hutchinson. No offensive line in the league could handle that duo. Honestly, every opposing offense would need to keep an extra blocker in protection on nearly every snap.

If not, one of the two would be in the quarterback’s face constantly. The pair already has 9.0 sacks combined early in the season.

Trading for last year’s top sack producer might sound expensive at first. But Hendrickson is on the final year of his deal and nearly didn’t suit up for the Bengals this season. The two sides couldn’t agree on a long-term extension, and his one-year contract had to be reworked.

He’s still bound for free agency next spring, and after how things have gone, it’s unlikely he wants to remain in Cincinnati.

If Detroit offered a third-round pick and a fourth-round swap, would that seal the deal? It may not sound like enough, but the Bengals could lose him for nothing anyway.

Should such a trade go through, you could bet the Lions would instantly solidify themselves as one of the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy — if they aren’t already.