Veteran defensive back Arthur Maulet’s request to be released was granted by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.
A veteran of six NFL seasons, Maulet served mostly as a slot cornerback for the Steelers in 2021 and 2022. He was scheduled to make $1.79 million in salary this season, the second of a two-year deal signed during the spring of last year. His release leaves the Steelers with $500,000 worth of “dead money” on their salary cap. If Maulet had played this season under the terms of his contract, he would have accounted for a $2.29 million cap hit.
ESPN first reported Maulet’s request to be released, and Maulet appeared to allude to the release via an Instagram message that included the text, “Thank You Pittsburgh.”
We have released CB Arthur Maulet. @BordasLaw https://t.co/Pkm23k7RSp
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 10, 2023
After tenures with the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets, Maulet initially joined the Steelers via a one-year deal in 2021. He played in 34 of the team’s 35 games (including playoffs) since, starting eight and amassing 106 tackles (76 solo, seven for loss), two sacks, two forced fumbles, four passes defended and one interception.
A favorite of coach Mike Tomlin, who once called him an “NFL dude,” Maulet in 2022 was deployed mostly in run-stopping situations. Cameron Sutton moved to the nickel/slot on passing downs.
Maulet also has experience at safety and outside cornerback, but he did not play the latter while with the Steelers.
Maulet’s timing on third down was impeccable for the #Steelers and for his role in the defense as a nickel cornerback. https://t.co/LmGJE4vDRk
— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) September 15, 2022
His Steelers highlight was a strip sack of Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow during overtime of a Week 1 game against the Bengals last season.
Maulet joins Sutton and strong safety Terrell Edmunds as departures from last season’s secondary. The Steelers signed veteran Patrick Peterson and slot corner Chandon Sullivan, as well as drafted a pair of outside cornerbacks in Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice. Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace and James Pierre also return.
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