OWINGS MILLS — Arthur Maulet didn’t give much thought to being a free agent last season.
The versatile cornerback wanted to return to the Ravens and the team welcomed him back with a two-year, $4 million deal.
“It was very key to re-sign Arthur Maulet,” coach John Harbaugh said after practice this week. “He’s a guy that I was pretty confident that we were going to re-sign all the way. I felt like he wanted to be here, and we wanted him back, and [executive vice president and general manager] Eric [DeCosta] had a good plan. It’s one of these things, sometimes the right players are looking for the right team, and I feel like Arthur was the right player for us, and we were the right team for him, and it’s really paying off.”
Maulet, 31, became a valuable player in the Ravens’ defense last season, especially when Marlon Humphrey was sidelined with an injury. Mauet had 37 tackles, one interception, five passes defensed, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games, including three starts.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere. I love it here – this is like a second home to me,” Maulet said. “I want to end my career here. I just want to prove every day that I’m worth their investment, like I said, [and] keep grinding away and getting better every day.
“Obviously, I do a lot of work in the community. It’s similar to where I’m from in New Orleans, Louisiana. [In] Baltimore, football is everything here. When we have a good season, the city thrives and has a pretty good … less crime and all [of] that stuff. For me, I want to prove myself [and] prove to everyone it’s not a waste, honestly.”
Maulet is a strong tackler and can blitz from the cornerback position, which makes him a valuable player for new defensive coordinator Zachary Orr. He has been one of the Ravens’ best players in the first two weeks of training camp. He had interceptions on three consecutive days and has been a vocal leader in the secondary.
“Offseason work [helped me]. I worked out every day, [and] I didn’t take too much time off,” Maulet said. “[I] broke down the film and saw my weaknesses and attacked them. [I] just got in the lab. [I] was truthfully honest with myself. [I] wanted to be a bigger piece this year [and] help this team win. I think we have one common goal, and we know what it is.”
The Ravens signed Maulet in July 2023 after he was released by AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers in May. He has worked hard to find success as a former undrafted free agent, who also spent time with the Saints, Colts, and Jets.
While Maulet spent two seasons in Pittsburgh, he has found a home in Baltimore. He also has a message for former Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who signed with the Steelers this offseason and said Pittsburgh had better cuisine than Baltimore.
“Yes. ‘P.Q.’, we know the food is not better, bro. We know the city is not better, bro. Come on, come on now,” Maulet said with a laugh