INDIANAPOLIS – Germaine Pratt might help address one of the Indianapolis Colts’ pressing needs.
The veteran linebacker, who thrived the past six seasons in Cincinnati under coordinator Lou Anarumo, is an unrestricted free agent after being released by the Bengals Monday.
The Colts don’t routinely comment on free-agent options, but a source with knowledge of the situation conceded there is a level of interest in at least exploring the possibility.
Everything would depend on what it would take financially to reunite Pratt with Anarumo, who was named the Colts’ defensive coordinator in January.
Pratt, 29, was in the final year of his contract and had requested a trade before Monday’s release. He was due a 2025 base salary of $5.2 million.
Pratt should command interest on the open market. The top 16 linebackers in terms per-year average pay earn $10 million. The Colts re-signed Zaire Franklin to a three-year, $31.26 million deal last offseason that included $17.66 million in guarantees.
It’s no secret the Colts lack proven depth at the position.
Franklin, who turns 29 next month, has started at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons and has been ultra-productive. He piled up a franchise record 179 tackles in 2023 and led the NFL with 173 last season.
However, Franklin has missed all of the team’s offseason work after undergoing ankle surgery in May. Also, the other projected starter – 2024 fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies – is recovering from shoulder surgery. Carlies started six games as a rookie.
The other linebackers on the roster share 12 career starts.
Pratt would bring 88 career starts and 96 appearances.
After being selected in the third round of the 2019 draft, the 6’3″, 250-pounder generated 616 tackles, seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and 32 tackles for loss.
In 17 starts last season, Pratt had a career-best 143 tackles with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, five tackles for loss and six defended passes. He’s had at least two interceptions in three straight seasons.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.