The Cincinnati Bengals have to make some tough decisions in the offseason, with defensive captain Germaine Pratt requesting a trade and multiple key players hitting free agency.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bengals’ leading tackler last season requested a trade. Pratt, a 28-year-old linebacker, recorded 143 tackles (80 solo and 63 assists), adding two interceptions and two forced fumbles to his 2024 campaign. He established himself as a starter midway through his rookie season in 2019 and has been a fixture in Cincinnati ever since.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Offseason Decisions
The 6’3″ linebacker was drafted by the Bengals in the third round (72nd pick) in the 2019 NFL Draft. Pratt has appeared in 96 games throughout his six seasons with Cincinnati, logging 616 tackles (355 solo and 261 assists), 3.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions.
But things turned poorly for Pratt and the Bengals’ defense in 2024. They ranked near the bottom of the league in several major categories, which led the team to move on from defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
The Bengals have to make some significant decisions this offseason. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to hit free agency, and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson are due for a long-term extension.
Currently, the Bengals are projected to be around $46 million under the salary cap for 2025, but re-signing both receivers could eat up a large chunk of that. They all might get at least $30 million per year, and each player played well this year, so the price has only gone up.
Higgins is expected to enter free agency and cash in on a massive payday after racking up 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2024 NFL season. For his career, he’s totaled 330 receptions, 4,595 yards, and 34 touchdowns in 70 games.
#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
As for Pratt, he has a cap hit of more than $8.1 million for next season. Trading or cutting him would clear about $5.8 million in cap space.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been publicly pressuring the front office to get these deals done and keep the core guys in Cincinnati. Burrow expressed confidence in keeping the nucleus together in Cincinnati.
That includes himself, Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase. No one wants to break the band up. “We all want to stay together, so we want to make it work,” Burrow said.
Another player is getting lumped into that core group as well. In addition to Higgins and Chase on offense, veteran tight end Mike Gesicki is a free agent and a key leader in the Bengals’ locker room and is an intriguing name to watch when free agency kicks off in March.