Just 24 Hours After Being Released, Art Maulet Stuns Everyone by Offering to Take a Pay Cut to Stay in Detroit – But the Cold Response from Lions Leadership Leaves All of Lions Nation Heartbroken
Detroit, Michigan – November 26, 2025
As the Detroit Lions prepare for a high-stakes Thanksgiving showdown against the Green Bay Packers, the real shockwave came from inside the locker room: only 24 hours after being released, veteran cornerback Art Maulet broke the silence, declaring he would do anything — including taking a significant pay cut — to remain a Lion. The move left the entire Lions Nation stunned, especially after he had stepped up as a critical piece of a battered secondary during the injury crisis.

The decision to part ways with Maulet stemmed from several key cornerbacks finally returning from injury and being cleared to play. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team had to clear a roster spot to re-balance the depth chart, even though Maulet had delivered in six games with 1 interception, a 62.1 PFF grade, and the rare versatility to play both nickel and outside corner. Lions fans had already crowned him “the best injury-season steal of the year.”
Moments after the news broke, Maulet released a statement that brought the entire Lions community to a standstill: “If the only thing keeping me here is money, I’m willing to take a cut — even a deep cut — to keep fighting for this defense. I love Detroit, I love Ford Field, and I love the spirit of this team. I don’t want to leave when I still feel I can help.” The quote went viral across the city in minutes.
Yet the response from Lions leadership left many fans numb. According to team sources, the organization acknowledged and deeply appreciated Maulet’s warrior spirit and contributions, but the personnel decision had already been finalized based on returning player health and could not be reversed. It was described as one of the toughest but necessary calls, especially with a brutal upcoming stretch against the Packers, Cowboys, and Rams.
Even though he’s gone, Art Maulet has etched his name into the hearts of Lions Nation — a quiet soldier who gave everything when the team needed him most. And as Detroit marches into the defining stretch of the season, the fans at Ford Field will never forget the player who was willing to sacrifice his own paycheck just to keep fighting for the Honolulu Blue and Silver.













