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Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message on Germaine Pratt After Signing News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 7:05 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders had a need at linebacker and were fortunate that the Cincinnati Bengals decided to release Germaine Pratt. The Raiders wasted little time and were able to land Pratt on a one-year contract this week.

He'll now be competing with Elandon Roberts for the starting middle linebacker job, but it sounds like the team believes he can line up in multiple spots. Head coach Pete Carroll had a lot of good things to say about Pratt following the signing news.

"He's a really hard-nosed kid, tough kid," Carroll told reporters on Thursday. "Played a lot of football, has been really healthy, has played all of the positions to give us flexibility that really will help us."

Pratt mostly played in the middle for the Bengals, but he's played on the outside before. He's never missed than two games in a season before, so he's a durable option for the Raiders, and they can expect him to be available.

Though Pratt is a bigger name than Roberts, Carroll made sure to praise the linebacker following his comments about the new signee.

"We've been really pleased with Elandon," Carroll said. "He did a great job of taking over the leadership position and calling everything."

Carroll also praised Devin White, so it sounds like the early plans are for White, Pratt and Roberts to see the field a lot this season.

"They are all tough, physical and downhill players, which is the style that we love to play," Carroll said of Pratt, Roberts and White.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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