Bengals release LB Germaine Pratt.
It is a bittersweet move, but one that has been expected for a while now. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter were both added through the draft. As well as Oren Burks signed in free agency. It quickly became clear that they wanted to overhaul the unit behind incumbent Logan Wilson.
Pratt was originally a 2nd round pick of the Bengals in 2019. In his prime, he was someone who could provide high end play in coverage, while also making plays against the run. He had a knack for creating turnovers. Some of his plays became turning points in the team’s biggest games. Some of their matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs come to mind. But it was his game sealing Wildcard interception against the Raiders that will likely be his most remembered play as a Bengal. This, of course, sealed Cincinnati’s first playoff win in 31 years.
According to Over the Cap, the move opens up $5,850,000 in cap space. It also leaves behind $2,333,334 in dead money. The Bengals will now go forward with $32,926,896 in cap space.
It remains to be seen how, or if the Bengals will use all this cap space they still have left. Some will be going towards draft picks that remain unsigned, like Shemar Stewart. They also will likely roll some over into next season. But with Trey Hendrickson holding out for a new deal, and some good free agent guards still left on the market, there isn’t a shortage of things they can do to help bolster the starting lineup.
As for Pratt, he will now be looking for a new team. Rumours earlier in the offseason suggested that the LB, 29, who at one point requested a trade, was eyeing a move to Indianapolis. Signing with the Colts would reunite him with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. For the Bengals, it looks, at this moment, like Logan Wilson, Oren Burks, and Demetrius Knight will enter camp as the starters in Al Golden’s defence.
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