The Cincinnati Bengals face a critical offseason with major decisions looming on both sides of the ball.

According to NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, the Bengals have $46 million in salary cap space, with star wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase becoming free agents. The team will likely only be able to retain one of them due to cap constraints.

Now, amid these offensive challenges, the Bengals’ defense faces its own upheaval.

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Cincinnati Bengals’ Germaine Pratt requests trade

NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report that six-year veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt, the team’s defensive captain, has requested a trade. The request comes in the wake of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s firing and subsequent move to the Indianapolis Colts.

#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

Complicating matters further on defense, star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is seeking a contract extension that could exceed $30 million annually.

Pratt, a third-round pick from North Carolina State in 2019, is coming off his strongest season. He led the team with 143 tackles in 2024, while adding two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss.

The timing of Pratt’s request carries significant financial implications. His cap hit for 2025 is $8.1 million, but trading or releasing him would free up $5.8 million in cap space while leaving $2.3 million in dead money.

Rapoport notes that Pratt will have trade value.

“Pratt is still only 28 years old, a leader in the locker room, wears the green dot and has extensive playoff experience. The Bengals will have a market should they decide to trade him in order to free up more cash to continue re-signing their offensive weapons.”

Pratt is still only 28 years old, a leader in the locker room, wears the green dot and has extensive playoff experience. The #Bengals will have a market should they decide to trade him in order to free up more cash to continue re-signing their offensive weapons. https://t.co/eBmM8wYVAl

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025

Over his six seasons in Cincinnati, Pratt has established himself as a defensive cornerstone, appearing in 96 games (88 starts) while accumulating 616 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 32 tackles for loss.

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Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is awaiting MRI results on his hyperextended knee, NFL Network reported Monday.

The veteran defensive end left Sunday’s 30-27 loss to Houston after Texans wide receiver Noah Brown appeared to lose his balance and fell into his left leg late in the fourth quarter.

Hendrickson, 28, leads the Bengals with 8.5 sacks to go along with 27 tackles and two forced fumbles in nine starts.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection since joining Cincinnati in 2021, Hendrickson has 50.5 sacks and 107 quarterback hits in 85 career games (56 starts) with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals.

Hendrickson is likely to miss at least one game with Cincinnati (5-4) facing a short week ahead of Thursday night’s clash with the host Baltimore Ravens (7-3).

–Field Level Media

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The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the Bengals for Hendrickson, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons with the team.

Hendrickson, 28, followed up a career-best 14-sack season in 2021 with eight more in 2022. He also recorded three forced fumbles and 24 quarterback hits in 15 starts.

Hendrickson has totaled 42 sacks and nine forced fumbles to go along with 131 tackles in 76 career games (47 starts) with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals. He was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson cleared the concussion protocol and will play in Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff game against the host Tennessee Titans.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor gave the update Thursday on Hendrickson, who was injured during last weekend’s 26-19 wild-card victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hendrickson, 27, registered a team-high 14.0 sacks in 16 games (14 starts) and earned a Pro Bowl selection in his first season with Cincinnati. He finished with 34 tackles, 27 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.

He had a strip-sack against Raiders quarterback Derek Carr before leaving last Saturday’s game.

Hendrickson signed a four-year, $60 million contract in free agency in March after four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. The 2017 third-round pick had 20 sacks — including 13.5 in 2020 — in 45 games with the Saints.

–Field Level Media

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon and defensive end Trey Hendrickson were among seven players activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.

The other players activated include safety Vonn Bell, defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Larry Ogunjobi, center Trey Hopkins and guard Quinton Spain.

All are expected to be ready for the Bengals’ wild-card game against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. He also caught 42 passes for 314 yards and another three scores.

Hendrickson led the team with 14 sacks.

Bell, Hopkins, Ogujobi and Spain are all starters.

The Bengals also waived linebacker Austin Calitro, who appeared in five games this season.

–Field Level Media

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• MLB rumors: Insider shockingly reveals top Arizona Diamondbacks starter might hit trade block if season sours