The Cincinnati Bengals face a critical offseason with major decisions looming on both sides of the ball.
According to NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, the Bengals have $46 million in salary cap space, with star wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase becoming free agents. The team will likely only be able to retain one of them due to cap constraints.
Now, amid these offensive challenges, the Bengals’ defense faces its own upheaval.
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Cincinnati Bengals’ Germaine Pratt requests trade
NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that six-year veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt, the team’s defensive captain, has requested a trade. The request comes in the wake of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s firing and subsequent move to the Indianapolis Colts.
#Bengals defensive captain and leading tackler Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
Cincinnati has been devoting resources to keeping their offensive core together and Pratt was close to DC Lou Anarumo, who was fired after last season. pic.twitter.com/NuP0TmxIZv
Complicating matters further on defense, star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is seeking a contract extension that could exceed $30 million annually.
Pratt, a third-round pick from North Carolina State in 2019, is coming off his strongest season. He led the team with 143 tackles in 2024, while adding two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss.
The timing of Pratt’s request carries significant financial implications. His cap hit for 2025 is $8.1 million, but trading or releasing him would free up $5.8 million in cap space while leaving $2.3 million in dead money.
Rapoport notes that Pratt will have trade value.
“Pratt is still only 28 years old, a leader in the locker room, wears the green dot and has extensive playoff experience. The Bengals will have a market should they decide to trade him in order to free up more cash to continue re-signing their offensive weapons.”
Pratt is still only 28 years old, a leader in the locker room, wears the green dot and has extensive playoff experience. The #Bengals will have a market should they decide to trade him in order to free up more cash to continue re-signing their offensive weapons. https://t.co/eBmM8wYVAl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
Over his six seasons in Cincinnati, Pratt has established himself as a defensive cornerstone, appearing in 96 games (88 starts) while accumulating 616 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 32 tackles for loss.
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