The Cincinnati Bengals cut linebacker Rey Maualuga. Is this the end for him or is there some way he can help another team win?
In 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals selected linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The 6’1″, 255-pounder then went in and became a thumper the middle of that defense. However, he was miscast a little, playing in a 4-3 defense.
Maualuga wasn’t much of a sideline-to-sideline or pass coverage linebacker. And he took the heat for that throughout his career but was so productive, the Bengals couldn’t get rid of him. But this offseason at at 30, they finally did get rid of him Saturday.
Maualuga is coming off an injury-riddled season where he started only six games. And once they signed Kevin Minter away from the Arizona Cardinals, his fate was sealed. But we should not forget what type of player Maualuga was or possibly still is.
Head coach Marvin Lewis made note of it via a press release per NFL.com saying:
"“Rey has been a tough and productive player for us, and a fine teammate, and this is a difficult decision. It’s one of several we have made to transition to a younger group at linebacker as we continue to shape our 2017 roster. We wish Rey and his family the very best.”"
The question now is what’s left for Maualuga now?
Is this a case of his body starting to break down?
Is he just too old-school of a linebacker in today’s passing league?
Can a team needing help against the run use him as a two-down linebacker in a 3-4 defense?
We’ll find out soon as this offseason plays out!