The Cincinnati Bengals are less focused on the free agent market, and more on locking up their core players.  NFL.com is reporting that the Bengals have agreed to a two-year $6.5 million deal with linebacker Rey Maualuga.

“Rey is a big, physical guy who plays with a lot of passion and energy,” linebackers coach Paul Guenther said. “He knows the defense and he can play a couple of different spots, and that’s going to give us some flexibility as well as some experience in our room.”

Stud second year linebacker Vontaze Burfict is likely to take over Maualuga’s spot in the middle, and Rey will move over to the strong side.