Cleveland Browns Shouldn’t Consider Rey Maualuga In Free Agency

While stealing from a division rival is always nice, the Cleveland Browns shouldn’t go after recently released linebacker Rey Maualuga.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted former USC linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Eight seasons and 584 tackles later, the Bengals decided that it was time to part ways.

“Rey has been a tough and productive player for us, and a fine teammate, and this is a difficult decision,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said of Maualuga, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It’s one of several we have made to transition to a younger group at linebacker as we continue to shape our 2017 roster.”

The release of Maualuga came shortly after the Bengals had inked linebacker Kevin Minter to a one-year, $4.25 million deal.

Now that Maualuga is officially on the open market, some fans may wonder if the Cleveland Browns should give him a look. He has been a quality defender in the past—with at least 75 tackles in five of his eight seasons—and there is that Bengals connection with Browns head coach Hue Jackson.

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This is probably where we should point out, though, that Lewis coached on the offensive side of the ball in Cincinnati. Other than experience in a 4-3 base defense, there’s little to suggest that Maualuga would be a smart fit in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ system.

The Browns don’t really have a need for Maualuga either, as fourth-year linebacker Christian Kirksey—who had a whopping 148 tackles last season—will likely anchor the interior of Cleveland’s linebacker corps. Kirksey was rated eighth overall among inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus last season.

Maualuga also wouldn’t fit with Cleveland’s current rebuilding strategy. He’s on the wrong side of 30 and has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons. In fact, he’s missed 10 total games over the past four years and only managed to make six starts in 2016.

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By the time the Browns are finally in position to compete, they team would probably be done with Maualuga anyway. If Cleveland really wants to bring in some support for its growing defense, the team would be better off looking for younger, more reliable options.