The Bengals released linebacker Rey Maualuga on Saturday. As with any time a player is drafted in the second round and plays for the same team all eight years of his NFL career, it didn't come easy for the club. Yet, the cut did make sense in the big picture of forming the roster.
Maualuga had one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed in 2015. Letting him go will save the Bengals $3.7 million against the 2017 salary cap with zero dead money associated with the move.
"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.