Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per sources.
Pratt, 28, was the Bengals' defensive captain and their leading tackler last season, adding two interceptions and two forced fumbles to his 2024 campaign. He established himself as a starter midway through his rookie season in 2019 and has been a fixture in Cincinnati ever since.
But things turned poorly for Pratt and the Bengals' defense in 2024, ranking near the bottom of the league in several major categories, which led the team to move on from longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Although Pratt racked up a team-high 143 tackles, he also had 20 missed tackles, according to PFF.
The Bengals have some major decisions elsewhere on their plate this offseason, too, with wide receivers Tee Higgins set to hit free agency and Ja'Marr Chase due for a long-term extension. Currently, the Bengals are projected to be around $46 million under the salary cap for 2025, but re-signing both receivers could eat up a large chunk of that.
Pratt has a cap hit of more than $8.1 million for next season. Trading or cutting him would incur a $2.3 million dead-money hit, but it also could clear up an additional $5.8 million in cap space.
Rapoport reported that Pratt has had a close relationship with Anarumo, who is now the Colts' defensive coordinator. That might make Indianapolis a logical landing spot for Pratt if the Bengals choose to move on from him this offseason.
