The Cardinals have the opportunity to add a productive veteran inside linebacker. The Cincinnati Bengals will release linebacker Germaine Pratt, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move did not appear on Monday’s NFL transaction list.
The move saves more than $5.8 million in cap space. He was entering the final year of his contract and was due $5.25 million in salary.
Pratt had 143 total tackles last season, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
He is 29 years old.
The Cardinals have questions at linebacker as Kyzir White has not been re-signed. Mack Wilson returns, and they added Pratt’s former teammate Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency, Mykal Walker in free agency and rookie Cody Simon in the fourth round of the draft.
Pratt was not the Bengals’ “Mike” linebacker. That role belongs to Logan Wilson. Could he play that role? Probably. After all, White was not a “Mike” before taking on that role with Arizona.
As of now, the Cardinals are trying a lot of players at the position. Davis-Gaither is considered the favorite to win the role. But Pratt would be a proven addition.
