Germaine Pratt, Raiders Reportedly Agree to Contract After Bengals Release

Linebacker Germaine Pratt has agreed to a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The Bengals released Pratt on Tuesday after six seasons with the team. The 2019 third-round draft pick out of North Carolina State played 96 games (88 starts) for Cincinnati. During that time, Pratt amassed 608 tackles, seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Pratt also made seven playoff starts for the Bengals in 2021 and 2022, helping guide the team to the AFC Championship Game both years and a Super Bowl appearance in the former season.

Pratt made a huge play in the Bengals' run to the Super Bowl during their 2021 postseason, sealing a 26-19 win in the AFC Wild Card Round against his new team, the Raiders.

Pratt had one year left on a three-season, $20.25 million deal, per Over the Cap, before Cincinnati released him.

As far as why, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin may have given an idea in January, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Still, Pratt certainly stayed active in 2024, racking up a career-high 143 tackles, including 80 solo. He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four quarterback hits.

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report explained why Pratt is a good fit for the Silver and Black.

He joins a Raiders team under new leadership in general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. Las Vegas is looking to bounce back from a 4-13 season in which the team finished 25th in scoring defense. The Raiders are certainly hoping Pratt helps rectify that issue as they look for their first playoff win since 2002.