Report: Bengals' Pratt requests trade
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade from the AFC North club, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Pratt is a defensive captain and has been with Cincinnati since the team selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft. He led the team in tackles last season with 143, ranking 10th among all NFL players. Pratt was also the Bengals' defensive signal-caller last season.
The 28-year-old was one of only three defenders with 140-plus tackles and six-plus turnover plays, along with the Philadelphia Eagles' Zack Baun and the Indianapolis Colts' Zaire Franklin, per Pelissero.
Pratt is heading into the final season of a three-year, $20.5-million contract he signed in 2023. The Bengals can save around $5.8 million against their cap if they trade him before June 1, according to Over the Cap.
Cincinnati is amid extension negotiations with star wideout Ja'Marr Chase, while Tee Higgins is scheduled to hit free agency. The Bengals are expected to devote resources to the offensive side of the ball, per Rapoport. Additionally, Pratt was apparently close with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was fired after this past season.
The Bengals currently have around $46 million in cap space. Cincinnati's pending free agents include Higgins, B.J. Hill, Mike Gesicki, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Mike Hilton.
Pratt has 616 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, and five forced fumbles in 96 career games.