3/13/22, 3:28pm: According to some updated information from ESPN’s Ed Werder, at least six teams have shown interest in Collins. It’s unclear whether any teams are eager enough to trade for him or whether they will wait to bid for his services upon his release.
3/12/22, 9:04am: It sounds like La’el Collins‘ stint with the Cowboys has effectively come to an end. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the organization has given the right tackle permission to seek a trade. If the team can’t find a trade partner, they’ll likely release the offensive lineman.
While the team would only save $1.3MM on their 2022 books by releasing or trading Collins, they could save $10MM if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut (per ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Twitter). The front office will have to juggle the financial advantages of waiting vs. any enticing offers they may receive.
Due to off-field allegations and threats of a holdout from his agent, Collins went undrafted during the 2015 draft. However, after catching on with the Cowboys, it didn’t take the lineman all that long to emerge as a dependable starter. While he had issues staying on the field during his first two seasons in the NFL, Collins started all but one game for Dallas between 2017 and 2019.
However, Collins didn’t appear to be a favorite of the Mike McCarthy-led staff. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes on Twitter, the new Cowboys staff never “seemed to be a fan of Collins,” and it could have been attributed to a missed season in 2020 due to injury and a suspension in 2021. Upon returning to the team, Collins didn’t immediately get his starting gig back, although he did end up starting 10 of his 12 games last season.
Dolphins better be on the phone.
In typical Miami fashion, I doubt Grier and brass make any effort to bring in Collins—he’d be a huge get for their OL.
Jax too
Bengals as well
The dolphins are always on the phone working. It’s just the cord has been pulled out
Wouldn’t the acquiring team be essentially getting him on a three year $30 million deal? That’s certainly worth something, even with his shenanigans.
The cowboys fire sale continues
Off the field allegations? He wasn’t alleged to have done anything wrong. Look into it better before you write stuff and smear him again.
Yes. Off the field allegations. There are articles about it. Teams passed on him due to a double homicide he was closely related to. You are correct, he was not a suspect in the murders, but teams passed on him anyway. This isn’t smearing him. This was the reality.
His off the field allegations include bribing a drug test official for the NFL
I forgot about the 5 game suspension he received also. But, hey, he is being smeared.
Buddy, maybe just google “La’el Collins off field allegations” before telling someone else to look into it.
Dallas is no different for you fire sale guys. The cap requires teams to free up capital. All 32 teams are restructuring and cutting players the same way. This is a good move. They have a plug in player at RT for far less. The monies freed up can be used to pay others or go after free agents. Collins is a good player but due to the cap structure they can’t pay everyone top dollar. This team is loaded and this is where it shows.
Ahahahahahaha, okay bud.
Do you actually follow the NFL or do you just play Maddon?
How many teams are looking at possibly moving on from their right tackle. their right guard, their top veteran receiver, another one or two of their top four receivers, and their top defensive veteran because of cap concerns? I think they’re a little different.
I don’t doubt Dallas is talented but as you said, when you move on from clear talent, it doesn’t say you’re loaded. If they could maintain these spots and backfill with draft capital, they would. They just can’t.
What?
What the fire sale means is that Jerry Jones overpaid for Dak, Zeke and Cooper (among others) and exhausted the Cowboys cap. The whole Dak contract fiasco will destroy the Cowboys for five years. Burning the village to save it.
Terence Steele played well and is on his rookie contract. This makes sense except for leaking that you will cut him.
The Broncos need a RT. Come on Broncos
For all the Von Miller/LB talk, this is really their #2 need especially with a brand-new QB.
What got into the Cowboys? Makes you wonder if they are clearing cap for some sort of free agent spending spree (at cornerback?).
They forced themselves into hard decisions now by not making hard decisions earlier. They double down on all of their own decisions and have too many guys signed to top of the market money. So their offensive line isn’t as much of a strength as it used to be, but three of the five guys are combining for a ~$45 million cap hit this year. Trading a first round pick for Cooper worked out well, but they got no bargain in re-signing him. Drafting a running back fourth overall was silly, but then they doubled down by giving him a colossal second contract, which is hamstringing them. Lawrence and Dak are both really good and worth the money when they’re healthy and playing well, but it’s a huge amount of money the second they’re not.
All of those deals (except Elliot) made sense on their own terms, but not all together. So they have a great core of talent, but aside from Parsons, Lamb, and Diggs, they’re spending an extraordinary amount of money per core guy, and that’s before you consider things like the fact that they’re still paying Jaylon Smith for that dumb contract.
Raiders are trying to Trade their Linebacker Cory Littleton. He makes a similar Salary to Collins. Do the Cowboys need a LB?
The point of trading Collins is to NOT take back a similar salary. Also, Littleton isn’t worth nearly his salary. he’s going to be cut.
Steelers?
I wouldn’t hate that move at all.
Pittsburgh makes so much sense, with chucks a FA and Dan Moore having a decent year, they need OLine help bad, and if Collins can stay held they, would be a great pick up.
Titans had probably the worst pass blocking performance in the league last year from RT.
Surprised they haven’t been mentioned.
Why do the Cowboys keep leaking they aren’t happy and will release the player? They throw any leverage they have out the window. That’s part of the reason they didn’t get squat for Cooper.
The Cowboys vitriol is hilarious. Every team does what they’re doing. If you’ve paid any attention to their draft success the last 5 years, you’d understand that they’re not worried about losing someone like La’el or an aging Cooper.