Bengals Facing Internal Turmoil as Germaine Pratt Requests Trade

The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a wave of uncertainty, starting with one of their defensive leaders, Germaine Pratt. As the team’s leading tackler this season, Pratt has requested a trade, adding to the growing instability within the franchise.

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If the Bengals return fully healthy, they provide great value as a Super Bowl contender. But that’s a big “if.” Outside of Joe Burrow, there’s no certainty about which key players will remain in Cincinnati next season. Ja’Marr Chase is under contract but is due for a major extension as he enters his fifth year in the NFL. Tee Higgins, on the other hand, seems as good as gone, as he is expected to command top dollar on the open market.

Higgins’s contract situation has already sparked controversy. His agent has faced criticism for allowing him to play under the franchise tag last season when comparable wide receivers around the league secured lucrative deals. Playing under the tag put Higgins at risk of injury without long-term security, which many believe was a costly mistake. That he even showed up for training camp and played the season under those conditions is surprising.

Meanwhile, ownership remains a central talking point. Mike Brown, owner of the Bengals, has long been known for his frugality. The Bengals have historically struggled to attract top free agents due to their reluctance to spend big money. Now, with internal discontent growing, they risk an internal mutiny. If a player like Pratt, a key defensive asset, wants out, it could trigger a domino effect within the locker room.

Rather than making moves to maintain a competitive roster, Brown appears more concerned with cost-cutting. Other NFL owners prioritize fan satisfaction, fielding competitive teams, and making smart financial investments in their stars. If Brown operated that way, the Bengals would have already locked in Chase, Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks. Yet, Brown’s philosophy remains rigid—players should honor their contracts with little room for renegotiation, no matter how elite their performance.

With Burrow at the helm, the Bengals should be on the cusp of a dynasty. Instead, due to ownership’s unwillingness to commit to keeping its homegrown talent, the team risks falling apart before it reaches its peak.

If Brown and the Bengals’ front office don’t act fast, this golden era could slip through their fingers. A team built for sustained success might instead become a cautionary tale of what could have been.

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