The Indianapolis Colts have spent much of the offseason improving their biggest areas of need.
One still remains, though, at the linebacker position following the departure of starter E.J. Speed, who signed a deal with the Houston Texans in free agency.
Thus, the Colts were predicted to make a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire linebacker Germaine Pratt as their final offseason move by Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton.
“The Colts need a linebacker after they lost E.J. Speed in free agency. Cameron McGrone is a backup who mostly contributes on special teams. The Colts hired former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to the same position. They can reunite him with Pratt, who, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, requested a trade in February. Pratt would be a no-brainer fit in Anarumo’s system at a position of need,” Moton wrote.
The Colts could try to rely on second-year backer Jaylon Carlies to fill the WILL role in the Lou Anarumo’s defense, but they could also look at a veteran who has plenty of experience working within the scheme.
In 2024, the former third-round pick set career-high marks in tackles (143), solo tackles (80) and defensive stops (53), per Pro Football Focus. However, he also struggled a bit in coverage, allowing a 103.5 passer rating and career-high three touchdowns on 79 targets.
What the Colts would have to give up in a trade for Pratt isn’t clear, but it likely wouldn’t be much. He’s going into the final year of the three-year, $20.3 million deal he signed ahead of the 2023 season, per Spotrac.
The majority of moves have already been made for the Colts, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they added Pratt to the defensive lineup.
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