This time last year, the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker depth chart didn’t look so hot. What a difference a year makes!
The Cincinnati Bengals defense improved mightily in 2021 and the linebackers played their part in helping make that happen. The position should continue to improve in 2022, as it’ll be led once again by Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.
Wilson’s dominant 2021 season wasn’t surprising but it was nice to see Pratt round the corner and become a key contributor. Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey also played well for this team and even the lesser-known names such as Joe Bachie and Clay Johnston made plays when called upon.
Let’s check out the Bengals linebacker depth chart for the 2022 season.
All stats and snap counts courtesy of Pro Football Reference
Starters: Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt
As mentioned above, the starting linebackers should come as no surprise to Bengals fans — It’ll be Wilson and Pratt returning to the roles once again.
Wilson was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Wyoming and after a promising rookie season, grew into an even better football player. The linebacker recorded 100 tackles, five tackles for loss, one QB hit, and one sack through 13 games this year. He did miss time due to injury but he made plays when the team needed him to, including the key interception in the AFC Divisional round.
Pratt is also a former third-round pick, hearing his name called on Day 2 in the 2019 draft out of North Carolina State. He recorded a career-high 91 tackles, five tackles for loss, two QB hits, and 0.5 sack during his third NFL season. This is the final year of Pratt’s rookie contract so he has a major incentive to ball out in 2022.