Could the Colts bring in a former Bengals captain and longtime starter at linebacker to help install new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade—following veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s firing and subsequent hiring with the Indianapolis Colts:
#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
The Bengals defensive captain was originally a 2019 3rd round pick of Cincinnati and is coming off a 2024 season in which he recorded 143 tackles (80 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries during all 17 starts.
Per PFF, Pratt was their 56th best graded linebacker with a +60.2 overall grade, which was actually just one spot behind Colts’ 2nd-team All-Pro starting linebacker Zaire Franklin—who registered a +60.3 overall grade.
The 28-year-old veteran linebacker is due an $8.18M cap hit this 2025 season for Cincy and may be a possible cut candidate, as the Bengals commit to their offensive core and potentially try to find a way to retain starting standout pending free agent wideout Tee Higgins long-term (or at the very least, apply the costly franchise tag again for a consecutive season).
Like the Bengals defense collectively, Pratt endured a disappointing 2024 season, but is looking to rebound next year—albeit with another NFL defensive unit entirely. He could possibly be a veteran starter for Anarumo to bring in to help install his new defensive scheme in Indy—along with adding some veteran leadership within the Colts locker room.
