Nick Vigil signing with Chargers, per report

Germaine Pratt, and a bunch of question marks. That’s the state of the Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacking corps.

The uncertainty grew a little bit larger with announcement that free agent linebacker Nick Vigil has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers. ESPN insider Adam Caplan was the first to break the news.

ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby says it is a one-year deal.

Vigil started 37 games for the Bengals after being selected with the 87th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the organization. From the time he first became a starter in 2017, Vigil recorded 182 solo tackles, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The box score production looks much better than his grading from Pro Football Focus, as he never finished a season with a defensive grade above 60.

The tail end of the 2019 saw Vigil play considerably better and it was rumored that he could return to the Bengals on some sort of prove-it deal. But the team clearly wants a clean slate at the linebacker position and could still sign a veteran before the draft in April.

Vigil joins Andrew Billings, Christian Westerman, Cody Core and Clayton Fejedelem as members of that otherwise successful 2016 draft class that has left or been cut by the Bengals.