The dream of seeing superstar linebacker Germaine Pratt join the Indianapolis Colts roster has come a little closer towards becoming a reality. Earlier this year, news broke that Pratt had requested a trade, which was immediately of interest to Colts fans. Indianapolis needs a linebacker, and Pratt - as mentioned - is a superstar. But after months went by with nothing happening, it seemed that this was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Things got a little more urgent, however, when both Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies suffered injuries in the offseason. Both have to undergo surgery, and will be out until training camp. With E.J. Speed gone, too, the need for more depth at linebacker has never been more glaring - and, just weeks later, Pratt has quite literally fallen into the Colts' lap.
According to Tom Pelissero, Pratt will be released by the Bengals today.
The #Bengals are releasing veteran LB Germaine Pratt today, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 9, 2025
Pratt ranked in the top 10 in the NFL last season in tackles and was a team captain. Now, he hits the open market. pic.twitter.com/6OabVd3Dv8
This is huge news for the Colts. Pratt led the Bengals with 143 tackles, the 10th best in the NFL, and had his best season yet in 2024, with multiple interceptions and forced fumbles. Pratt has continued to improve year after year, and there's good reason to believe the same would happen in Indianapolis. He would, after all, be reunited with the same coaches he worked with in Cincinnati.
Lou Anarumo, previously the defensive coordinator for the Bengals, was hired by the Colts to be Gus Bradley's replacement. Not long after, Anarumo brought Bengals linebackers coach James Bettchers to Indianapolis with him.
Pratt would be a huge benefit to the Colts defense. Not only is he a standout linebacker on his own, he is comfortable with Anarumo, and would be an asset to the Colts' locker room as they adjust to Anarumo's schemes and style. The Colts have the cap space available to make this happen, so with the Bengals having officially released Pratt, Chris Ballard no longer has an excuse to not sign him.