Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has officially been released this week, a move that clears up much-needed cap space — space the team may be setting aside for none other than their star edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson.
Now, Hendrickson has yet to make an appearance at OTAs or training camp as he pushes for a new deal with the Bengals — a team he’s anchored defensively since 2021. And while his absence lingers, the Bengals have made a bold financial move that signals they may be getting serious about locking him in.
But there’s a human cost to cap maneuvering, and in this case, that’s Pratt.
The veteran linebacker has been a model of consistency. While he’s not a sack machine, Pratt has quietly delivered two full seasons of steady play in Cincinnati — something you can’t overlook in today’s injury-riddled league.
And that consistency? It could be just what the Detroit Lions are looking for.
With a linebacker room currently facing a storm of uncertainty, Detroit might just be in the market for someone like Pratt. The buzz started building after Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher laid out a compelling case for why Detroit should consider snagging the newly-available linebacker.
Quoting Booher directly here: “The last two seasons have both been plenty productive ones for Pratt, as he’s surpassed 100 combined tackles in each campaign. In fact, in 2024 Pratt logged 143 combined tackles and 80 solos to go along with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.”
That kind of production is tough to ignore — especially for a Lions unit dealing with some serious question marks.
Booher went on to highlight the linebacker situation in Detroit, saying, “Currently, the Lions are dealing with a situation of their own at the linebacker position. Alex Anzalone did not participate in the offseason workouts and is reportedly seeking an extension as he enters the final year of a three-year contract.”
And that’s not all.
Malcolm Rodriguez is out until at least November, and while Jack Campbell is their top healthy option at the moment, even he underwent hip surgery this offseason. Detroit did re-sign Derrick Barnes to provide depth, but as of now, that linebacker corps is looking thin.
Still, there’s hesitation in the air.
The downsides? Booher points out that Pratt’s price tag could be a sticking point, especially for a team trying to rework deals for players like Anzalone and eyeing an eventual extension for star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Adding a veteran like Pratt might gum up the financial works.
And then there’s this — recent remarks from Za’Darius Smith suggest the Lions could have other plans for their available cap space in free agency.
So, bottom line: Germaine Pratt is available, and he’s drawing attention. But whether Detroit is ready — or able — to make that move remains to be seen.
Reporting live, I’ll continue tracking updates on Pratt’s free agency and what this means for both Cincinnati and Detroit’s evolving offseason strategies.
