The Cincinnati Bengals have the heart of the linebacker unit locked up for the long-term in the wake of Logan Wilson’s extension.
After signing Wilson to that extension and re-upping with Germaine Pratt in free agency, the Bengals feel the two make up what is one of the league’s best units.
Just ask defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
“I feel like we have one of the best tandems at linebacker in the league and now to be able to keep Logan for an extended amount of time,” Anarumo said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Leadership to start, they know the system inside and out, both Germaine and Logan are forward thinkers when it comes to game day problem solving all that stuff. So you have great football conversations with them. They’re literally you know, the old cliche of coaches on the field, there’s two of them there. So they can really affect the game in so many ways.”
Pratt came into his own in coverage and otherwise over the last two seasons and it spoke volumes when most outsiders thought he might leave, only for him to be back while names like Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell departed.
Wilson always seemed like an extension candidate, but not necessarily before the likes of Tee Higgins or Joe Burrow. Just goes to show how the team feels about the guy who might’ve won a Super Bowl MVP had that game against the Rams gone differently.
For now, Pratt is under contract through 2025 and Wilson 2027. That’s the sturdy foundation from which the Bengals will re-mold the rest of the unit over the next few years.
