The Cincinnati Bengals’ leading tackler from last season wants out.
Linebacker and defensive captain Germaine Pratt has requested a trade from the Bengals, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday.
Pratt, 28, led the Bengals with 143 total tackles last season and also added two interceptions.
The trade request comes at the start of an off-season with many big decisions on the horizon for the Bengals.
Rapoport reports that Cincinnati has been devoting resources to try to keep its offensive core together.
After signing star QB Jow Burrow to a massive five-year, $275 million-deal ahead of the 2023 season, it’s now star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins who are next in line for a payday.
The Bengals experienced contract drama with both of their top receivers last season, and it’s sure to be more of the same this year.
Chase, 24, is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie deal this season. But prior to the start of the 2024 season, the LSU product sat out for the majority of training camp as he looked for a contract extension.
Reports suggested that Chase wants a deal that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the league. Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson currently makes the most at $35 million per season.
Chase’s numbers back his request up, as in his first four seasons in the league, he has 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns. He is also coming off a season where he won the NFL’s receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions (127), yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17).
Higgins, meanwhile, played 2024 on the $21.8-million franchise tag. The 26-year-old receiver is scheduled to become a free agent this off-season. Cincinnati does have the option to tag Higgins again, but players are often unwilling to play under the tag for a second straight season.
Though he’s been the clear No. 2 option behind Chase, Higgins has also been very productive in his time with the Bengals. In 12 games last season, Higgins had 911 yards and 10 TDs.
“I’m confident we are going to be able to do what it takes to bring Tee back,” Burrow said in December. “I know that I am going to do what it takes to get him back. So he can have those talks; those are going to be off-season discussions. I think we are excited about that opportunity.”
The Bengals had a disappointing 2024 season that saw them start 1-4 and miss the playoffs. Their offence wasn’t the problem, as they finished sixth in the league averaging 27.8 points per game. But their defence was a huge issue, giving up 25.5 points per game — the eighth-worst mark.
Cinncinati fired defensive co-ordinator Lou Anarumo in January and hired former Notre Dame coach Al Golden to take over as DC.
