The Cincinnati Bengals officially moved on from a key defensive player on their most recent playoff teams, releasing linebacker Germaine Pratt on Monday, according to reports.It came after Pratt, 29, requested a trade earlier this offseason. The North Carolina State product signed a three-year deal with Cincinnati in March 2023.Pratt now hits the open market, freeing up $5.6 million in cash and 2025 cap space for the Bengals.Last year, Pratt led the Bengals in total tackles (143), solo tackles (80) and tackle assists (63). He also compiled four tackles for a loss and four quarterback hits from the second level of the defense.The Bengals will now look to a new group of players to fill Pratt’s shoes under first-year defensive coordinator Al Golden.What shouldn’t change for Cincinnati will be the steady presence of Logan Wilson as one of the anchors of the the defensive unit.Through five seasons, Wilson has compiled at least 100 total tackles four times, recorded 19 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits.Behind Wilson, the Bengals will be counting on 2025 second round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. to make an immediate impact at linebacker.Knight played six seasons of college football for Georgia Tech, Charlotte and South Carolina.He spent the 2024 season with South Carolina, recording 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks signed a two-year deal with the Bengals this offseason and could carve out a larger role in Cincinnati.Burks, 30, began his career with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-21 before playing two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.After playing mostly as a reserve for his first six seasons in the NFL, Burks signed with the Eagles in 2024 and became a crucial part of their defense on the way to a Super Bowl championship.Joe Giles-Harris was brought to Cincinnati on a one-year deal this offseason after playing for the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason.Another rookie, Clemson product Barrett Carter, was selected in the fourth round and could also see significant time in his first season.Over his Clemson career, Carter was credited with 254 tackles (31.5 of which came for a loss), 12.6 sacks, 24 pass breakups and three interceptions.Maema Njongmeta and Shaka Heyward are also options to earn playing time for the Bengals in 2025 after logging limited action last season.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Bengals officially moved on from a key defensive player on their most recent playoff teams, releasing linebacker Germaine Pratt on Monday, according to reports.

It came after Pratt, 29, requested a trade earlier this offseason. The North Carolina State product signed a three-year deal with Cincinnati in March 2023.

Pratt now hits the open market, freeing up $5.6 million in cash and 2025 cap space for the Bengals.

Last year, Pratt led the Bengals in total tackles (143), solo tackles (80) and tackle assists (63). He also compiled four tackles for a loss and four quarterback hits from the second level of the defense.

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The Bengals will now look to a new group of players to fill Pratt’s shoes under first-year defensive coordinator Al Golden.

What shouldn’t change for Cincinnati will be the steady presence of Logan Wilson as one of the anchors of the the defensive unit.

Through five seasons, Wilson has compiled at least 100 total tackles four times, recorded 19 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits.

Behind Wilson, the Bengals will be counting on 2025 second round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. to make an immediate impact at linebacker.

Knight played six seasons of college football for Georgia Tech, Charlotte and South Carolina.

He spent the 2024 season with South Carolina, recording 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.

Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks signed a two-year deal with the Bengals this offseason and could carve out a larger role in Cincinnati.

Burks, 30, began his career with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-21 before playing two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

After playing mostly as a reserve for his first six seasons in the NFL, Burks signed with the Eagles in 2024 and became a crucial part of their defense on the way to a Super Bowl championship.

Joe Giles-Harris was brought to Cincinnati on a one-year deal this offseason after playing for the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason.

Another rookie, Clemson product Barrett Carter, was selected in the fourth round and could also see significant time in his first season.

Over his Clemson career, Carter was credited with 254 tackles (31.5 of which came for a loss), 12.6 sacks, 24 pass breakups and three interceptions.

Maema Njongmeta and Shaka Heyward are also options to earn playing time for the Bengals in 2025 after logging limited action last season.