NFL.com reports that that the Cincinnati Bengals may not welcome him back after his poor performance in the season-ending playoff loss to the Houston Texans.

While head coach Marvin Lewis recently outlined a plan to lock up the team’s young stars, Maualuga’s name was conspicuously absent.

Citing a source with the knowledge of the situation, Thesidelineview.com’s Adam Caplan confirms the Bengals will likely take a pass on re-signing Maualuga.

Although Maualuga played a career-high 1,025 snaps while starting all 16 games last season, he was too often burned for big plays in the middle of the field. The Bengals have second-year weakside linebacker Vontaze Burfict ready to move to the middle after exceeding expectations as a star rookie.

Don’t be surprised if Maualuga ends up with the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. General manager Ozzie Newsome and his staff reportedly had a high grade on Maualuga coming out of USC. There is an obvious need at inside linebacker with Ray Lewis retiring and Dannell Ellerbe scheduled to hit free agency.