Bengals expected to make $5.6 million decision on linebacker Germaine Pratt

While all the attention has been on Trey Hendrickson this offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have another key decision to make on linebacker Germaine Pratt.

Earlier this offseason, Pratt demanded a trade from the Bengals as he enters the final year of his contract. Some have speculated that Pratt wants to be traded because the Bengals are going to cut him, which could lead to him making less with a new team this coming season.

Whatever the reason for his trade request, the expectation is that Pratt is going to be cut soon, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, who said so in his 53-man roster projection following the 2025 NFL draft.

"Speaking of gone, it shouldn’t be long until the Bengals release 2024 captain Pratt and save the $5.6 million against the cap," Dehner Jr. wrote.

Once a playoff hero for the Bengals, Pratt has seen his play decline in recent years. However, he's still a quality linebacker and should draw interest on the open market, assuming the Bengals fail to find a trade partner.

The Bengals appear to be preparing for life without Pratt. Of their six draft picks last weekend, two of them were linebackers, with Cincinnati taking Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round, and Barrett Carter in the fourth.

The signing of Oren Burks is another sign that Pratt won't be long for Cincinnati. The team also has Logan Wilson, who is a locked-in starter in the middle of the Bengals' defense.

As Dehner Jr. noted, the Bengals will save $5.6 million by cutting Pratt, but will also incur a dead-cap hit of a little over $2 million.

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