The Cincinnati Bengals have released veteran linebacker Rey Maualuga, the team announced Saturday.
Maualuga was entering the last season of his contract and was due $3.6 million in salary and bonuses.
He has been with the Bengals since they selected him in the second round of the 2009 draft and has been a longtime starter at middle linebacker. However, Maualuga's playtime dropped considerably in 2016, and the Bengals added linebacker Kevin Minter in free agency, indicating they might be looking for an upgrade at that position.
"Rey has been a tough and productive player for us, and a fine teammate, and this is a difficult decision," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement.