The Bengals today re-signed LB Rey Maualuga as an unrestricted free agent. Maualuga (6-2, 250; Southern California) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2013.
He was a Bengals second-round draft choice in 2009 and has played in 62 games with 61 starts (including postseason) over the last four seasons. He was second on the team in tackles (152) last season and led the front seven in passes defensed (five).
Maualuga has 428 tackles in the last four regular seasons, most on the Bengals in that span. He led the team with 15 tackles in last season’s Wild Card playoff game at Houston.
“Rey has been a fine young player for us, and he continues to grow on and off the field,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “He is passionate about becoming a great player, and we’re excited to have him back as we work with these signings to keep our defense together.”
The Bengals finished sixth in fewest yards allowed and eighth in fewest points allowed in the NFL last season, and Maualuga is the fourth defensive player who had been eligible for free agency to re-sign for ’13. Re-signing previously were DE Robert Geathers, DE Wallace Gilberry and DE Michael Johnson. (Johnson was designated as the club’s franchise player and has signed a one-year tender offer, with negotiation of a longer deal still an option.)
The Bengals also have re-signed three specialists who had been eligible for free agency -- LS Clark Harris, P Kevin Huber and K Mike Nugent.
