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Should Broncos Trade for Bengals LB Germaine Pratt?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Christian Paolantonio | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Denver Broncos have an extensive list of needs this offseason, which might be hard to believe after Denver battled their way into the NFL Playoffs this past season with a rookie quarterback at the helm.

On the defensive side, the inside linebacker position was a volatile spot for Denver in 2024 and, truthfully, has needed an upgrade for quite some time now.

Veteran linebacker Alex Singleton is currently recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee after going down in Week 2 against Tampa Bay. At 32 years old, it is unclear how the injury will impact Singleton moving forward, but he is reportedly set to be ready by training camp.

Drew Sanders, 24, is the only other Broncos linebacker currently under contract next year with any NFL experience playing inside. Fans should be prepared for an overhaul at the position, and Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt may be the perfect fit for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed in 2023, Pratt recently requested a trade from the Bengals. Pratt, listed as 6’3", 250 lbs., is one of the longest-tenured players on Cincinnati's roster.

The 2019 third-round pick has been one of the NFL’s most consistent linebackers in recent years. Through six seasons, Pratt has started in 88 games, including 47 consecutive starts dating back to Week 3 of the 2022 season. In 2024, Pratt was voted a team captain and finished ninth in the league with 143 tackles.

After undergoing a statistically abysmal season on defense, including finishing 30th in red zone efficiency and 25th in points against, there are undoubtedly plenty of changes coming for the Bengals unit.

From Cincinnati’s perspective, they would incur $2.3 million in dead money if they released Pratt while attaining $5.6 million in cap savings. While this may seem like a pitch for a new contract from afar, the situation goes deeper as the Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo this offseason, who Pratt’s been with since he entered the league.

New defensive coordinator Al Golden arrives from Notre Dame after a National Championship appearance and being awarded college football’s top assistant coach.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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