HEADLINES

Month: May 2025

Bengals Likely To Release Germaine Pratt?

May 1st, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Throughout the offseason, Germaine Pratt has represented a cut candidate for the Bengals. The veteran linebacker remains in the fold for now, but that may soon change.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes it “shouldn’t be long until” Pratt is released by Cincinnati (subscription required). Cutting the six-year veteran (before or after June 1) would yield $5.85MM in cap savings while generating $2.33MM in dead money. One season remains on Pratt’s contract.

The NC State product made nine starts as a rookie and he has remained a fixture on defense ever since. Pratt – who turns 29 later this month – set a new career high with 143 tackles last season. The Bengals have Logan Wilson in place as the anchor of the LB unit for 2025 and beyond, though, and the draft brought about a pair of additions at the position. That includes Demetrius Knight Jr., who will likely find himself in a starting role if/when Cincinnati moves forward with a Pratt release.

The latter requested a trade in February, but to no surprise teams have proven to be unwilling to pursue a deal in his case. With Pratt on track to be released, suitors can of course wait for him to become a free agent in the post-draft market. Cincinnati has Wilson and Knight in place, along with Barrett Carter – selected in the fourth round of the draft – and free agent signing Oren Burks. It would come as no surprise if the team entered training camp with that core group not including Pratt.

If the former third-rounder is indeed let go, he will join a free agent linebacker group which also features Shaq Thompson, Kyzir White, Ja’Whaun Bentley and De’Vondre Campbell. As the Bengals sort through their depth chart in the wake of the draft, Pratt’s situation remains one to watch.

Bills Hoping To Extend RB James Cook

May 1st, 2025 at 9:42am CST by Ely Allen

MAY 1: During an interview with Go Long’s Tyler Dunne (subscription requred), Beane said Cook has “got to still show he’s… the guy we saw if he wants to get that pay day. Either from us or someone else.” A repeat of the production seen in 2023 and ’24 may therefore be needed for Buffalo to make a long-term commitment. Beane added he views the top tier of running backs as a small group; it will be interesting to see if Cook joins it this offseason or if the team continues to wait on an extension.

APRIL 29: A big topic of the offseason in Buffalo has been centered around the contract desires of running back James Cook, who has been vocal about wanting a contract extension to help him get out of his rookie deal. Cook made the decision to skip the team’s voluntary workouts this month, potentially marking the start of a hold out. General manager Brandon Beane, though, has confidence that Cook’s situation will be resolved with an extension eventually.

In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show today, Beane told McAfee that Cook “will be here this year and hopefully beyond,” according to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports.

A second-round pick from 2022, the Georgia product has improved each season of his career. A rookie season behind Devin Singletary saw him rush for only 507 yards and two touchdowns, adding 180 yards and a score through the air. In 2023, Cook took over as the starter and turned in a 1,000-yard rushing season (1,122 yards, to be exact) but only scored two rushing touchdowns, though he added 445 yards and four scores in the air.

Last year, Cook put it all together. In 16 games, he rushed for 1,009 yard and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. He added 258 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well. These efforts on an average salary of $1.46MM per year just aren’t adding up for Cook.

Cook is on record as seeking a salary of $15MM per year, which would make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL, behind only Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. Given the amount of tread still left on his 25-year-old tires, a raise certainly makes sense, but apart from the league-leading rushing touchdowns last season, it’s hard to argue that Cook has contributed as much as Barkley or McCaffrey in his career.

Still, Beane seems to be willing to play ball on extension conversations. He seems willing to take his time, though, as well, considering Cook has another year on his contract (and a franchise tag has been a popular option for keeping running backs around), but it sounds like Beane has every intention of keeping his star rusher happy to keep him in the building.

Eagles Decline G Kenyon Green’s Fifth-Year Option

May 1st, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

Kenyon Green has not developed as hoped in the NFL, as illustrated by the fact he has already been traded. The former Texans guard now finds himself on track for 2026 free agency, to no surprise.

The Eagles are declining Green’s fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Exercising it would have locked Philadelphia into a $16.69MM commitment for the 2026 season, which would not be feasible given his performances to date. The former No. 15 pick missed all of the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury and has not met expectations when on the field.

[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]

Green made 14 starts during his rookie season, a year in which he was charged by PFF with four sacks and 47 pressures allowed. Upon returning from the injury in 2024, he remained a key figure on Houston’s offensive line (nine starts in 12 games). Once again, however, pass protection was an issue; Green was one of several interior blockers who struggled during the year and contributed to the Texans’ underwhelming offensive performance. Part of the team’s renovations up front included the decision to move on from Green.

The Texas A&M product was traded to the Eagles in March as part of a package which saw safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson head to Houston. Green will compete for a starting spot at right guard after seeing Mekhi Becton thrive in that role in 2024. The former Jets first-rounder parlayed his one-and-done Eagles campaign into a two-year, $20MM pact with the Chargers. It would certainly be notable if that feat were to be repeated in Green’s case during the coming campaign.

At a minimum, the 24-year-old will give the defending Super Bowl champions depth along the interior of the offensive line. Tyler Steen represents a candidate to win out the RG gig over Green, especially considering how late in the draft Philadelphia added rookies up front. Remaining healthy will be a key target for Green, and he could help his market value with a strong showing in Philadelphia.

In the event a first-team role proves to be elusive, though, free agency will no doubt be limited next spring. The Eagles now have four offensive linemen attached to lucrative deals, and another major commitment would come as a surprise if it were made in Green or another blocker.