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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.
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.
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.
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.