Could Germaine Pratt Be the Final Piece on Cowboys Defense?

The Dallas Cowboys are entering the 2025 season with a revamped defense under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

Dallas added defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, defensive end Payton Turner, linebacker Kenneth Murray, and cornerback Kaiir Elam to their roster this offseason.

But as Cowboys COO Stephen Jones likes to say, “player acquisition in the NFL is a 24/7, 365-day process.”

That mantra could come into play after the Cincinnati Bengals released veteran linebacker and team captain Germaine Pratt—who could potentially be an ideal fit in Dallas.

"I'm very appreciative of what Germaine has done for our team over the last six years," head coach Zac Taylor said in a team statement. "He has been a part of plays and wins that will be remembered forever by Bengals fans. I will always pull for Germaine and I wish him the best moving forward."

Pratt had a very productive 2024 campaign—recording 143 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

Pratt might be a welcomed addition to a Dallas linebacker room that features Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, and DeMarvion Overshown.

Pratt would provide valuable depth and durability for the Cowboys while Overshown is recovering from a devastating knee injury that will keep him sidelined for multiple games this season.

The NC State product is a true every-down linebacker and started every game for which he was available across the last four years.

The reality of Dallas' thinking? They are committed to vets Murray and Sanborn in the middle.

Still, we can argue that adding Pratt could be a savvy move for a Cowboys team looking to maximize its Super Bowl window.