Cincinnati Bengals veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt officially requested a trade on Wednesday afternoon, according to various reports. Pratt is displeased with the current status of his contract. The 29-year-old defender is scheduled to enter a contract year with a base salary of $5.2 million with zero guaranteed money.
Before requesting a trade, Pratt qualified as a likely cap casualty this offseason. Pratt is slated to carry a cap charge of $8.18 million for the 2025 campaign, and the Bengals would save approximately $5.85 million by releasing him, with a manageable dead cap charge of $2.3 million. The Bengals will likely fulfill his wish by searching for a trade.
Pratt recorded a career-high 143 tackles this past season, though his overall form wasn’t as impressive as it was in previous years. The Bengals arguably fielded the worst defense in the league. We've identified three potential landing spots for the former NC State standout.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts will immediately become a potential landing spot. To date, Pratt has played his entire six-year career under Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The Bengals parted ways with Anarumo earlier this offseason, and he quickly became Shane Steichen's new DC in Indianapolis. That familiarity should help.
E.J. Speed is among the Colts’ unrestricted free agents. Speed was a workhorse for Gus Bradley's defense last season, playing more than 87% of the available defensive snaps. A couple of backup linebackers are also scheduled for free agency. Pratt could be viewed as a potential replacement in the starting lineup.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have four linebackers scheduled for free agency, including Oren Burks and Zack Baun. Both veterans played massive roles in Sunday's Super Bowl LIX triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs. Baun made a game-changing interception and Burks totaled five tackles.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman isn't afraid to make a trade. He's also partial to veteran linebackers, acquiring types like Burks, Zach Cunningham, and Shaq Leonard in recent offseasons. Pratt should be available via trade for a late-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Eagles currently have three picks in the fifth round.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are going to consider acquiring veterans this offseason. They have a franchise rookie quarterback on a team-friendly deal in Jayden Daniels who carried them to an unlikely NFC Championship Game appearance. This offseason is all about loading up in pursuit of a repeat performance in 2025. General manager Adam Peters is equipped with a sizable $75.2 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
They have a defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn, and a veteran linebacker in Bobby Wagner set to hit free agency. The ageless Wagner was outstanding for the Commanders in 2024, and both parties should be interested in a reunion, but you never know, considering he’s played for three different franchises in the previous three years. Pratt could represent Washington's Plan B.
