This is the reason why the Bengals are releasing veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt

The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to rebuild a team that is ready to compete for a Super Bowl like they did a few years ago. They are investing heavily in some players, but others, like team captain Germaine Pratt, are getting sent to the chopping block.

All in on the offense

Cincinnati knew they had a difficult offseason coming up after missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They showered Joe Burrow with one of the fattest contracts in the history of the game last offseason and this year they had to try their best to keep their core of offensive players who were looking for new contracts coming into the offseason.

They were able to sign one of the leagues’ top WRs in Ja’Marr Chase to a record four-year, $161 million deal this offseason. He is Joe Burrow’s favorite target, but not his only target. Tee Higgins looked like he was on his way out, but the Bengals were able offer him a four year extension in March. That kept two of Cincy’s QB’s favorite pass catchers in town, but the defense has been decimated, and Pratt is the latest to suffer the wrath.

Pratt was drafted by the Bengals in 2019 and has spent his entire career in Cincy. In that time he became of staple of the defense and earned the title of team captain. The Bengals plan was to trade the veteran linebacker, after he requested a trade in February. Instead the Bengals held on to their long time heart of the defense until having to release him today.

Defense going from bad to worse?

The move saves the Bengals $5.6 million in cap space, but the leaves a big hole in the middle of the defense. Not only was Pratt one of the workhorses of the defense, but he was the leader in the locker room as well.

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The Bengals defense struggled last year, finishing the season in the bottom 10 in the league in nearly every statistical category. Another one of the hearts and souls from last year, Sam Hubbard, just retired and there is a contract dispute with NFL’s sack leader Trey Hutchinson lingering as we approach mandatory minicamp.

The Bengals look like they are going to implement a similar game plan as last year. Let the offense light up the score board and hope that the defense can make a stop or two to make the difference at the end of the game. It’s a dangerous game to play, especially if this team makes a deep run in the playoffs, but one thing is for sure. The Bengals are going to be a fun team to watch with that much fire power on one side of the ball, and so many holes on the other side.