Germaine Pratt's Release Could Benefit Commanders

Newsweek

4 hours ago

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The Washington Commanders have come a long way from a Daniel Snyder era that produced more nightmares than restful evenings. Josh Harris has been a breath of fresh air, breathing life back into a once-proud franchise that fell on hard times for more than three decades.
After winning three Super Bowls between the 1982 season and January of 1992, Washington has only won five playoff games since then. Two came this past January under the current regime. For the first time in a long time, the future looks as good as the past. Those dark clouds are finally producing some silver linings.
Germaine Pratt #57, Washington Commanders news (Photo by)
Germaine Pratt #57, Washington Commanders news (Photo by)
Photo by/Newsweek/Getty Images
Following an NFC Championship Game this past January, Washington set its sights on reloading. Things seem to be going well on that front.
There are conflicting reports about the Deebo Samuel acquisition. Some say it won't lead to much. Others state the combination of Deebo and Terry McLaurin is frightening.
Washington will no doubt go as far as Jayden Daniels and company will lead them, but the defense will have to limit some of these powerful opposing NFC offenses. For all their hard offseason work, the Commanders are still in need of help at edge rusher, but thanks to a recent development, they may have been gifted with an opportunity to add linebacker depth by an AFC North squad.
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The Commanders should at least inquire about Germaine Pratt after his release
Washington doesn't see the Cincinnati Bengals very often. Unless they meet in a Super Bowl, they're probably only going to see each other once every four seasons, but Cincy may have thrown an alley-oop pass.
They released veteran Germaine Pratt to save almost $6 million. For a Commanders team led by a defensive mastermind, that news has to be seen as being interesting.
It's hard to gauge the temperature for what's going on with the team formerly known as 'The Bungles'. They seemingly only want to pay their quarterback and his wide receivers. No one on the defensive side of the ball appears to be a priority.
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Trey Hendrickson seems firm in his stance that he isn't playing without a new deal. Two of their rookie defenders, Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr., remain unsigned, and Pratt asked to be traded after the most recent season back in February.
Pratt, a former third-round selection enters his seventh NFL season this summer, and for the first time, it will be with a new organization. Might the Commanders be interested? They should at least inquire.
Six years with the Bengals produced 616 tackles, seven interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. 143 tackles during the 2024-25 season doubles as his career high in that category.
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Washington has a lot of money tied up in the linebacker position already. Much of which is consumed by Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, but if they are interested in depth and another good player to add to the rotation, Pratt is a gamer.
He may also provide a decent succession plan for Wagner. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee may begin to consider his mortality and retirement in the near future.