Bengals’ Germaine Pratt Stuns Team with Trade Request Following Another Playoff Absence

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt Requests Trade After Playoff Miss, Coordinator Exit
(Image: Germaine Pratt during a Bengals game; credit: Daily Mail)

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt, a defensive captain, has reportedly asked for a trade following the team’s second consecutive playoff absence and the dismissal of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The 28-year-old’s request, reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, comes amid frustrations after a 9-8 season that left Cincinnati third in the competitive AFC North.

Pratt, who tallied a career-high 143 tackles in 2024, was closely tied to Anarumo, fired after six seasons with the Bengals. Under Anarumo, Cincinnati’s defense ranked 25th in the NFL, allowing 348.3 yards per game. The linebacker’s dissatisfaction appears linked to the coordinator’s departure and the team’s stalled progress.

(Image: Lou Anarumo on the sidelines; credit: Getty Images)

Playoff Hopes Derailed
The Bengals narrowly missed postseason contention despite a strong finish, including a Week 18 win over the Browns. Pratt, entering the final year of his three-year, $20 million contract ($6 million salary in 2025), has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s defense since his 2019 draft selection (72nd overall). Across six seasons, he’s amassed 74 appearances, two playoff runs, and a Super Bowl LVI appearance in 2021, where the Bengals fell 23-20 to the Rams.

Legacy of Near-Misses
Pratt’s tenure included Cincinnati’s 2022 AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs, a game marred by a critical Patrick Mahomes scramble. Despite his consistency—recording 100+ tackles in four straight seasons—the Bengals’ defensive struggles and late-season collapses have fueled his desire for change.

(Image: Pratt celebrating a tackle; credit: Daily Mail)

Contract and Trade Implications
With an $8 million cap hit in 2025, Pratt’s tradability depends on team interest. Potential suitors may include the Cowboys, Commanders, or Giants, all seeking defensive reinforcements. Cincinnati, meanwhile, faces a pivotal offseason: retaining core players like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase while rebuilding under new coordinator Matt Burke.

As free agency approaches, Pratt’s departure could signal a defensive overhaul for the Bengals—a team once on the cusp of championship glory now grappling with stagnation.

(Image: Bengals’ Paycor Stadium; credit: Getty Images)

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Bengals star Germaine Pratt requests shock trade after missing playoffs again

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