Bengals defensive captain star Germaine Pratt has officially requested a trade out of the organization in a shocking move. According to several reports, it seems like Pratt wants a fresh start considering the Bengals’ salary cap situation. However, it’s easier for the team to move on and grant his wishes since they have to worry about figuring out a way to pay other star players such as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson. It’s a busy offseason already for Cincinnati and it wouldn’t be a shocker if more players request a trade from the defensive side of the ball as the only way to free up cap space is to release some of them.
Pratt was the lead tackler this past 2024 campaign even though the defense was less successful during the season. The former third-rounder is entering the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $8.18 million so the Bengals could use Pratt to get some draft capital in return. With Pratt’s current contract, he will likely have a good trade market for his services but figuring out how to pay him after the 2025 season might be the only lingering issue if he highly performs again. Here are five teams that could take a chance on him.
#Bengals defensive captain and leading tackler Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
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
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
Bengals Defensive Captain Germaine Pratt Officially Requests a Trade – Panthers, Saints Among Next Team Fits
Possible Trade Fits
Carolina Panthers
Carolina spent most of their time building a legitimate offensive roster for quarterback Bryce Young last offseason. However, it’s time to improve its defense which was one of the worst in the league during the 2024 campaign even with the presence of Jadeveon Clowney. With Derrick Brown returning this Fall, Germaine Pratt could likely find a role in the defense and be an excellent fit if they find a way to re-sign Shaq Thompson to finally give him life.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints don’t have the financial liberty to pay for an expensive linebacker so this is probably their chance to take advantage. Veteran DeMario Davis is one of the members of the team with an uncertain future. With that, they should be in the market for a high-stakes linebacker like Pratt since Davis is aging. Pratt has a contract that the Saints could afford for at least one year while they anticipate losing Chase Young and other defensive pieces.
Baltimore Ravens
The linebacker corps is getting younger for the Baltimore Ravens. Trenton Simpson didn’t do much this past 2024 campaign even though he had Kyle Van Noy and Roquan Smith doing what they could to support. After losing Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone last offseason, the defense hasn’t been the same. Perhaps, adding a big name like Pratt could finally bring some life to the pass rush if he becomes a free agent.
Los Angeles Chargers
Just like the Ravens, the only way of getting Pratt is if he becomes a free agent since the Bengals are not trading him to a rival. However, nobody in this entire league loves winning football games in the trenches. While they may lose Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa is a cut candidate, Pratt could be a new breath fresh of air for this defense.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have done well for themselves by getting a reliable signal-caller in Jayden Daniels to make any pass catcher into a star. However, the defense didn’t replicate much of that success the entire 2024 campaign even though they brought in Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong to bolster the defensive line. If they can’t re-sign veteran Bobby Wagner, they could be better off getting a much younger talent like Pratt who gives long-term durability.
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