Could new Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and longtime Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt reunite in Indianapolis for this upcoming 2025 season?
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to release veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt on Monday, which raises the question of whether the arguably ‘linebacker needy’ Indianapolis Colts could be possibly interested:
The #Bengals are releasing veteran LB Germaine Pratt today, per sources.
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
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 9, 2025
Potential added incentive for the #Titans to pursue LB Germaine Pratt, who was released by the #Bengals earlier today.
The #Colts are expected to pursue Pratt, who was coached by their new DC Lou Anarumo.
Brian Callahan spent five seasons (2019-23) alongside Pratt.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) June 9, 2025
Originally a 2019 3rd round pick of the Bengals, the 29-year-old veteran linebacker is coming off a 2024 season in which he recorded 143 tackles (80 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries during all 17 starts for new Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s former Cincy defense.
Pratt has played all 6 seasons of his pro career under Anarumo, and given the obvious familiarity between the pairing, and a potential reunion in Indy makes a great deal of sense.
Not to mention, the Colts projected two starting linebackers, reigning NFL 2nd-Team All-Pro Zaire Franklin and 2nd-year pro Jaylon Carlies, are both recovering from offseason procedures/surgeries—and there’s not much proven backup depth behind them.
That being said, Pratt doesn’t come with his own potential shortcomings. Known for his knack for finding the football, accumulating tackles and stopping the run (with a PFF run defense grade of +70.1), he struggled a bit in pass coverage as of late (+50.3 respectively).
The Colts are also expected to play an extra defensive back instead of a third linebacker much more than they have in the recent past to better defend the opposing passing game matchups as part of their base defensive packages under Anarumo.
However, Pratt’s about as good as the Colts could potentially do at this later stage of the offseason if they’re serious about upgrading their linebacking corps depth ahead of the 2025 campaign.