Latest news with #GermainePratt
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
We hit 57 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now
We've reached 57 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, With our countdown at 57 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction. No. 57 Who's wearing it now: LB Germaine Pratt In the middle of mandatory minicamp in June, the Raiders made a move to help strengthen their linebacking corps. On June 9, the Bengals released Pratt and the Raiders immediately sprung into action to get him in Las Vegas. They flew him out the next day and by June 11, he had signed with the team on a one-year deal. Pratt has been the starting middle linebacker in Cincinnati the past six seasons, so that's where you'd figure the Raiders would want to play him. However, the Raiders also added former Steelers middle linebacker Elandon Roberts this offseason, so it will be interesting to see how they are able to co-exist. Who wore it best: LB Jerry Robinson Robinson spent the first six years of his NFL career in Philadelphia where the former first round pick was twice a second team All Pro and once a Pro Bowlers. The final seven years of his 13-year career he spent with the Raiders, appearing in 97 games and starting 70 from 1986 to 1990.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals Cut Paves Way for Potential All-Rookie Campaign
Bengals Cut Paves Way for Potential All-Rookie Campaign originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Most of the hubbub this offseason about the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie class has centered on the controversy surrounding first-round pick Shemar Stewart and his contract holdout. Advertisement Stewart, a stout defensive end, was expected to form a fierce pass rush duo with last year's sack leader Trey Hendrickson ... who is also going through a contract dispute. Getting lost in the weeds is Cincy's second-round pick, linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., who could make just as much impact as any rookie on this year's roster. Knight enters a perfect opportunity to see the field in his first NFL season, which earns him a spot on All-Rookie Team projection. Before the 2025 Draft, the South Carolina product's combine profile featured a player comparison that will sound familiar to Bengals fans: Germaine Pratt. Advertisement Pratt had requested a trade in February after six seasons in Cincinnati. After drafting Knight, Pratt was cut, which paves a nice road for Knight to take and potentially earn a spot in the starting lineup immediately. Cincinnati's other starting linebacker Logan Wilson had some good things to say about the rookie and his potential role this season. "He can do everything at a high level. Just a matter of putting it all together," Wilson said, via the team website. "He's fast, hits, big, shifty. All the things you want in a linebacker, he's got." "He's done a hell of a job for a rookie with how much we've installed and covered," he added. "I'm looking forward to playing next to him." Advertisement Knight has big shoes to fill, as Pratt was the Bengals' leading tackler last season with 143. He'll still have to earn his stripes this summer at training camp, but so far the rook has made a nice impression on his elder teammates. Knight will compete for a starting job with fellow rookie Barrett Carter and free agent signee Oren Burks, who has Super Bowl experience with the Eagles last season. "Those guys are still competing for that," head coach Zac Taylor said about his linebacker unit. "I do think [Knight] has worked really hard. As I come in the building, he's one of the first guys in the locker room every single day," Taylor said. "Very mature. He's ready to go, ready to compete." Related: 'Lucky' Bengals Found Gem in Sixth-Round RB Related: Bengals Near Bottom of NFL Defensive Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals Release Star Defender Following Career Year
The Cincinnati Bengals are parting ways with one of their star defenders following his career year in 2024. The Cincinnati Bengals defense is getting a little bit weaker after it was announced on Monday that the team is releasing star linebacker Germaine Pratt, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Pratt, 29, is coming off arguably the best season of his six-year NFL career. In 2024, he recorded a career-high 143 tackles (80 solo), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions — one of only three players with at least 140 tackles and six turnover plays. Advertisement However, he requested to be traded in February with just one year left on his three-year, $20.25 million contract and coming off a very disappointing season in which the Bengals defense allowed the seventh-most points per game (25.5) and eighth-most total yards per game (348.3). Pratt's release will also save Cincinnati $5.6 million in salary cap space and allow the team to get younger at the position. The Bengals selected South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round (No. 49 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He will join linebackers Logan Wilson, Oren Burks, and Barrett Carter, among others, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson tackles Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on Nov. 23, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now The Bengals drafted Pratt in the third round (No. 72 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. He developed into a consistent starter and team captain over his six years. Advertisement During that span, Pratt racked up 616 tackles (355 solo), 3.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, seven interceptions, and 23 passes defensed. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported in February that Pratt was close with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who has since joined the Colts as their defensive coordinator. So Indianapolis is a team to keep an eye on for the new free agent linebacker. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Bengals Release Star Defender Following Career Year Related Headlines
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals Trade Failure Means Shocking Cut Of Defensive Star Germaine Pratt
Bengals Trade Failure Means Shocking Cut Of Defensive Star Germaine Pratt originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Trey Hendrickson, you are not alone. The Cincinnati Bengals entered this offseason with a number of very good players that they have to pay on both sides of the ball. Advertisement Or ... Not pay. But having that many stars means a team migth have to pick and choose which ones they pay and which ones they have to let go. And now we have confirmation of the speculation ... as the Bengals are indeed going to release star linebacker Germaine Pratt. Pratt has requested a trade in the past, but the team failed to find one that fit. Pratt has been a standout for the Bengals, especially this past season, where it was a bit of a surprise to some that he was not named a Pro Bowler. He finished the year with 143 total tackles, which tied him for 10th in the NFL. He was also able to showcase his versatility by getting to the quarterback with five QB hits, as well as his ball-hawk skills with two interceptions. Advertisement And he's a team captain. The Bengals - who with this move will save $5.6 million in 2025 cap space - have also showed hesitancy in paying another one of their defensive players in edge rusher Hendrickson. The team allowed the eighth-most yards this past season, so it might be time for them to reset and rebuild that side of the ball from the ground up. Whichever team decides to sign Pratt will be getting one of the best tackles in the league ... while the Bengals will be turning their attention back to figuring out what to do with Hendrickson in a market that suggests he might deserve $30 million APY. Related: Bengals Accused Of Lying By Trey Hendrickson This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt on Monday, stirring more frustration and questions regarding the team's future on the defensive side.
The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt on Monday, stirring more frustration and questions regarding the team's future on the defensive side. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cincinnati Bengals paid top dollar and then some to maintain their elite wide receiver tandem. They signed Ja'Marr Chase to a record deal for a non quarterback while securing Tee Higgins with his own handsome deal. Advertisement These contracts kept Higgins off the free agent market and prevented any future contract conflict with Chase. However, they have come at a cost elsewhere on the roster. Monday, the latest of these cap casualties came through the wire as the Bengals released veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt. Pratt posted some impressive numbers but struggled considerably last season on a porous Cincinnati defense. The move costs the team $2.3 million in dead cap but adds roughly $5.8 million in cap space. The decision puts Pratt in a tough position, now searching for a new team late in the offseason after many of the initial roster decisions have been made. As a result, Bengals reporter Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic sounded off on the decision with a post to X. "A move that was inevitable six months ago finally happens. What a ridiculous charade that it took this long. Advertisement "Pratt is responsible for one of the most memorable moments in team history and was a centerpiece of great, championship defenses. He deserved better on the way out." That play came in the 2021 AFC Wild Card when Pratt intercepted Derek Carr to seal a 26-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The win marked their first ever playoff victory at Paycor Stadium and is recognized by Bengals fans as one of the most important in franchise history. Pratt requested a trade back in February though Cincinnati presumably never found a landing spot for the veteran. Now, both sides go their separate ways as Pratt becomes one of the top defenders available and the Bengals return to another aching issue on the defensive side with the ongoing Trey Hendrickson conflict. Related: Hendrickson Not Reporting To Bengals Mandatory Minicamp As Major Questions Loom Related: Bengals Trade Failure Means Shocking Cut Of Defensive Star Germaine Pratt This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
