Why did the Raiders release Germaine Pratt?

The Raiders released Germaine Pratt, their highest-paid linebacker, just four games into his tenure with the team. Head coach Pete Carroll said the team "just thought it was time to go in a different direction," but the exact reasons for the decision remain unclear.

Who will replace Germaine Pratt on the Raiders' defense?

The Raiders plan to replace Pratt's role with a trio of players: Malcolm Koonce, Charles Snowden, and Jamal Adams. Koonce and Snowden will handle Pratt's edge rush duties, while Adams will take over his coverage responsibilities.

How much dead money did the Raiders incur by releasing Germaine Pratt?

Pratt's release leaves the Raiders with $3.75 million in dead money on his one-year, $4.8 million contract he signed with the team earlier this offseason.

Home / Sports / Raiders Shake Up Linebacker Corps, Release Pratt Amid Defensive Shakeup

Raiders Shake Up Linebacker Corps, Release Pratt Amid Defensive Shakeup

6 Oct

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Summary

Germaine Pratt released by Bengals, signed by Raiders
Became Raiders' highest-paid linebacker, released just 4 games later
Replaced by trio of Koonce, Snowden, and Adams on defense

Raiders Shake Up Linebacker Corps, Release Pratt Amid Defensive Shakeup

On October 6, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders made a surprising roster move, releasing veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt just four games into his tenure with the team. Pratt, who had been a longtime starter for the Cincinnati Bengals, was signed by the Raiders earlier this offseason as they looked to strengthen their linebacker unit.

Despite the Raiders already having signed Elandon Roberts and Devin White earlier in the offseason, they made Pratt their highest-paid linebacker on the roster. However, his time in Las Vegas was short-lived, as head coach Pete Carroll announced Pratt's release on Monday, October 6th, without providing many details.

Carroll simply stated that the team "just thought it was time to go in a different direction." Pratt's mysterious absence from the team's Week 5 matchup against the Colts, with no injury designation, may have been a precursor to this decision.