The Bengals release Germaine Pratt news hit on June 9, ending a key chapter in Cincinnati’s recent football history. After six seasons, 665 tackles, and a playoff-defining interception, the veteran linebacker is now off the roster — and the implications are clear.
A Leader Lost, A Door Opened
Germaine Pratt wasn’t just another linebacker. He was a team captain, ranked among the NFL’s top ten tacklers in 2024, and remembered most for clinching the Bengals’ first playoff win in 31 years with an interception against Las Vegas.
But football is business. With a $5.6 million salary-cap hit and a trade request earlier this spring, the Bengals’ release of Germaine Pratt was inevitable.
Per NFL Network,
this move saves Cincinnati $5.6 million in cap space, although it includes a $2.33 million dead-cap charge,
wrote Field Level Media.
Cap Savings and Roster Moves
With Pratt off the books, the Bengals gain significant salary-cap flexibility this year. That space could help:
-
Re-sign or extend players like Trey Hendrickson
-
Invest in free agency or draft-day depth
-
Maintain flexibility for future moves
The release aligns with earlier offseason changes: the drafting of Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, plus free-agent addition Oren Burks — a clear push to rebuild the linebacker room.
The Next Generation at Linebacker
Cincinnati’s linebacker overhaul is well underway:
-
Demetrius Knight Jr. (2nd-round pick) brings elite athleticism.
-
Barrett Carter (4th-rounder from Clemson) adds depth with strong instincts
-
Oren Burks, a Super Bowl veteran, replaces Akeem Davis-Gaither on the roster
These moves reflect a strategic pivot toward younger, faster defenders — coached under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Fan Reactions: Grateful, Nostalgic, Hopeful
The news triggered a wave of emotion on X (formerly Twitter):
Cheers to Germaine Pratt… a #Bengals legend forever, wrote Willie Lutz
I will never forget you, Germaine Pratt… One of the happiest moments of my life, shared another fan
While some fans lamented the defensive depth loss, many welcomed the roster revamp aimed at boosting speed and appetite.
What This Means for the 2025 Season
Here’s where things stand heading into training camp:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Cap Relief (~$5.6M) | Allows for extensions, free-agent flexibility |
| Linebacker Depth | Knight, Carter, and Burks support Greene & Wilson |
| Defensive Identity Shift | Youth, speed, and aggression under Al Golden |
It’s clear the Bengals release Germaine Pratt wasn’t just a cost-cutting move. It’s a strategic repositioning designed to keep Cincinnati competitive.