The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is the fourth highest-paid unit in the NFL. The Steelers have handed out large contracts to TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith to push the balance in the defense's favor. Cameron Heyward is also due $22 million in 2023 and 2024. The large numbers give the Steelers playmakers at every level of the defense that, when healthy, should produce at least a top-five unit in the NFL.
Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Elandon Roberts (#50) participates in the team's OTA's in Pittsburgh, PA.
Despite the spending, the defense is not without questions. The Steelers moved on from three of their four inside linebackers in the 2023 offseason. They signed NFL veterans, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts to fill the middle of the defense and retained Mark Robinson, who showed promise as a seventh-round pick in 2022. It is not the only question mark on the defense.
The Steelers lost Cameron Sutton to the Detroit Lions in free agency. He was a solid, capable cornerback who was an ideal fit in their scheme. Sutton is not an elite cover cornerback and the Steelers refused to pay that kind of price for him. Pittsburgh also elected to release the plucky Arthur Maulet in the offseason despite having one year left on his contract.
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
After requesting a release in May, former Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet is still searching for a new team ahead of training camp.
Pittsburgh has elected to go in a different direction at cornerback. Maulet was serviceable in 2022 and he has played for four NFL teams since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 by the New Orleans Saints. He is a study in persistence and guts, but he is not a rotational piece for one of the highest-paid defenses in football.
Former Steelers Defensive Back Arthur Maulet Releases Social Media Venom In Front Office Attack
Maulet did not take being released very well. He unleashed on social media about being unhappy with the Steelers' front office. Maulet spared Mike Tomlin in his wrath, praising his head coach, but apparently felt that the rest of the organization did not value his contribution to the team. The main issue according, to Mark Kaboly from The Athletic, was a handshake deal that Maulet believed was in place for this season.
It’s believed Maulet wasn’t under contract for 2023. Handshake deal last year allowed him to seek a raise this off-season. A possibility he found more money somewhere else. Wouldn’t be surprised if we found out he signed somewhere else for more money or he thinks he can find more
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 10, 2023
Maulet and the Steelers signed a two-year deal in 2022 ffor #3.825 million. He then requested his release based on his perception that he could seek a raise and Pittsburgh granted it. The former undrafted free agent is holding a grudge. According to Cameron Wolfe's TwitterX account, he is planning to sign with the Steelers main rival the Baltimore Ravens.
Former Steelers CB Arthur Maulet is nearing an agreement to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, per source.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 24, 2023
Maulet played a lot of slot CB and special teams snaps for Pittsburgh last 2 years. And now he could play against Steelers twice a year.
The Steelers went in a completely different direction in the secondary. They have elected to go with tall and rangy cornerbacks. Pittsburgh drafted Joey Porter Jr. and Corey Trice Jr. to pair with a veteran duo of Patrick Peterson and incumbent, Levi Wallace. Pittsburgh is going big and on the surface it seems like small blitzing cornerbacks are not in the 2023 plans.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacking duo, Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt
It is likely that Tomlin and Omar Khan knew they were signing Alex Highsmith to an extension when they released Maulet. A pass rush tandem on the outside of Watt and Highsmith, paired with the interior rush of Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, should be able to generate a significant amount of pressure without relying on blitzing cornerbacks regularly. It made Maulet's position quite obsolete.
If he does indeed sign with the Ravens, it will add another layer of intrigue on a vicious rivalry. Maulet is a good special teams player, but barring injury, he is unlikely to be at the top of the Baltimore cornerback rotation. However, if he does find his way into the lineup against the Steelers, you can bet he will be looking to exact some personal revenge; ust like every other player on the field when those two teams meet.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you think Maulet's anger at the organization is justified? Please comment below or on my TwitterX @thebubbasq.
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