Germaine Pratt

Linebacker Germaine Pratt Released By Las Vegas Raiders Following Disappointing Tenure

Justin Rimpi

Well, that was fast. The Germaine Pratt era in Las Vegas is officially over, lasting about as long as a gas station hot dog. After just four games, the Raiders have cut ties with the veteran linebacker, a move that feels both shocking and, if you squint hard enough, entirely predictable for the silver and black.

Head Coach Pete Carroll announced the decision Monday, stating the team simply wanted to “go in a different direction.” That’s the corporate HR way of saying, “It’s not you, it’s me… but it’s definitely you.” The move came after Pratt was mysteriously left behind for the team’s disastrous trip to Indianapolis, where they got stomped 40-6.

Pratt Was Expected To Contribute

It is a head-scratching situation. The Raiders signed Pratt to a one-year, $4.25 million deal in June, just days after the Cincinnati Bengals, the team he’d spent six seasons with, showed him the door. For a minute there, it looked like a savvy pickup for Vegas. Pratt was a key cog in the Bengals’ machine that made back-to-back AFC Championship appearances. He wasn’t just a locker-room guy; he was productive. In 2024, he racked up a career-high 143 tackles. So, what went wrong?

Pratt’s Brief and Bumpy Raiders Ride

In his short stint with the Raiders, Pratt logged 25 tackles. He was a solid presence, especially in pass coverage, an area where the rest of the linebacker corps has been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. He allowed a passer rating of just 70.7 when targeted. By comparison, his counterpart Devin White has been far more generous to opposing offenses.

Despite his skills, the fit was clearly off. Pratt’s release is a tough look for a franchise that seems to be in a perpetual state of rebuilding, shuffling, or just general confusion. The move leaves the defense with a significant hole and raises questions about the front office’s judgment. Was this a personality clash? A scheme mismatch? Or just another chaotic Monday in the Raiders’ organization?

Cincinnati Chuckles All the Way To the Bank

Back in Ohio, you can almost hear the Bengals’ front office letting out a collective sigh of relief, followed by a quiet “told ya so.” Their decision to move on from Pratt and get younger at the position now looks like a stroke of genius. By cutting him, they saved cap space and invested in fresh talent like rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter.

Knight already has 39 tackles and an interception through five games, providing more bang for far fewer bucks. The Bengals took a calculated risk, betting on youth and speed, and it seems to be paying off. Pratt’s abrupt exit from Vegas just validates their decision. It was a classic “it’s not personal, it’s business” move that has aged like fine wine for Cincinnati.

For Pratt, it is a brutal turn of events. He went from a respected leader on a Super Bowl contender to being unceremoniously dumped by a struggling team in less than a year. He reacted to the news with a cryptic post on X, saying, “New week, same grind. But with fresh energy to win what last week couldn’t.” That is the spirit of a guy who is not ready to hang up his cleats, but he’s now on the market for the second time in four months. The NFL is a cold business, and Germaine Pratt just got a harsh reminder.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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