The Kansas City Chiefs’ were humiliated by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX and may need to revamp their defense in the offseason to get back to another championship game.
According to a report on Wednesday from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt is requesting to be traded away from the struggling Ohio-based franchise.
Pratt is a speedy veteran with an exceptional ability to play in coverage. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton is set to become a free agent this year, and Kansas City could opt to move on from the former University of Missouri standout in favor of the Bengals’ star.
#Bengals defensive captain and leading tackler Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
Cincinnati has been devoting resources to keeping their offensive core together and Pratt was close to DC Lou Anarumo, who was fired after last season. pic.twitter.com/NuP0TmxIZv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
Bolton has become a staple of Kansas City’s defense and, to many, may seem irreplaceable after this season.
According to OverTheCap.com, Pratt is due a base salary of $5,250,000 in 2025, which is likely to be significantly less expensive than an extension for Bolton.
If Chiefs general manager Brett Veach decides that Kansas City cannot afford to keep Bolton around long-term, a trade for Pratt could provide the team stability at the linebacker position, without the cap concerns that come with a high-dollar extension.