Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade. Could he wind up with the Indianapolis Colts?
It remains to be seen whether the Bengals will trade Pratt. But if they do, Indianapolis is a possible landing spot this offseason.
Indy’s defense struggled mightily in 2024. The unit allowed 361.2 yards per game (29th-most in the NFL and 131.8 rushing yards per contest (24th-most). With that said, the Colts could certainly use a talented defender like Germaine Pratt as they look to vastly improve that side of the ball.
The Indianapolis Colts Should Trade for Linebacker Germaine Pratt
Pratt’s Career in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Germaine Pratt in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie season with 76 combined tackles (50 solo). He started nine of his 16 games that year.
Pratt helped the Bengals reach the playoffs during the 2021 season. He had the game-sealing interception in the wild-card victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cincinnati wound up making the Super Bowl that year but lost the game 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. Pratt had eight tackles in the losing effort.
In March 2023, Pratt signed a three-year, $20.25 million contract extension with the Bengals. He later had 118 tackles during the 2023 campaign.
Pratt was voted a team captain in 2024 and ranked ninth in the league with 143 tackles. He also had two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
Why the Colts Should Acquire Him
Following the 2024 season, the Colts parted ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and replaced him with Lou Anarumo. Anarumo served as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator for the past six seasons. That means he coached Germaine Pratt during his entire tenure in Cincinnati.
Pratt has a close relationship with Anarumo and is familiar with his system. With seven playoff games under his belt, including a Super Bowl appearance, he would bring veteran leadership to the Colts locker room and help change the losing culture in Indianapolis.
Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Although Pratt plays the same position as Franklin, he could move to the weak-side linebacker position. And if free agent linebacker E.J. Speed leaves Indianapolis this offseason, Franklin and Pratt could form a dynamic defensive duo in 2025.
Pratt has one year left on his contract. If the Colts were to trade for him, they would owe him $5.6 million for next season. However, the Colts could wait to see if the Bengals cut him this offseason. If Cincinnati doesn’t cut Pratt, the Colts could trade for him, likely giving up a Day 3 pick in return.
The Colts could make several changes to their defense this spring. Trading for a playmaker like Pratt wouldn’t necessarily turn the unit into an all-time great defense. Yet, it could be a nice step in turning things around in Indy and helping the Colts become a playoff team next season. Adding Pratt and maybe drafting a safety like Malaki Sanders as well as signing a few free agents, and the Colts’ defense can get to where it needs to be.
Main Photo: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The post The Colts Should Trade for Former Third-Round Linebacker appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.