Another offensive starter has been set free by the Dallas Cowboys, but this time it’s not by way of trade. One of the biggest headlines of the team’s offseason was their decision to trade four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns — saving $20 million toward the 2022 salary cap with the move — but there was still a looming decision to be made on La’el Collins. The 28-year-old found himself on the outs with the organization in 2021 and, as such, was given permission to seek a trade this offseason as the club itself fielded calls with the hopes of getting assets in return for the divorce.
Having spoken with several teams, and despite Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots emerging a strong candidate to trade for Collins if they could get past the compensation part of the potential deal, the Cowboys instead opted to release Collins outright on Thursday — sources tell CBS Sports — designating him as a post-June 1 cut that will gain them $10 million in savings toward this year’s salary cap.
He’ll be immediately available to sign with any team who makes him the best offer, and it’s expected the Patriots will run up against stiff competition in the offensive-line hungry Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins, amongst others.
It’s the latest decision by the Cowboys front office that’s caused a stir, both outside of and inside of the locker room, with All-Pro linebacker and rookie phenom Micah Parsons presumably weighing in on the news of Collins’ release via Twitter; the decision to cut Collins coming only two days after the bombshell contractual implosion that caused defensive end Randy Gregory to pivot from his agreed upon deal with the team to signing with the Denver Broncos instead.
“Man, man, man,” said Parsons.
Collins, a former undrafted free agent who was converted from guard to tackle by Dallas, rejoined his Cowboys teammates on the field in 2021 after a controversial suspension that led to arbitration and a federal lawsuit against the NFL, including accusations the young lineman attempted to bribe an NFL testing officer — allegations his camp have vehemently denied. In his absence, backup swing tackle Terence Steele emerged as a capable starter who showed progress leaps and bounds beyond what he put on film the year prior, and that combined with Collins’ off-the-field issues to put the latter at odds with head coach Mike McCarthy.
Steele, a former undrafted free agent who joined the Cowboys in 2020, struggled mightily as a rookie tasked with taking on the starting role due to season-ending injuries to both Collins and Tyron Smith, and there was very real concern outside of the organization if Steele could hold up for more than a month this time around.
Fast forward to the Cowboys bye week in 2021 and Steele had already solidified himself as the definitive swing tackle in Dallas, generating conversation surrounding Collins’ fit in McCarthy’s and Kellen Moore’s system, with offensive line coach Joe Philbin also playing a large role in the ultimate decision to give Steele the permanent nod as starting right tackle.
Collins now gets an opportunity for a fresh start elsewhere, and the Cowboys — who were already in dire need of fixing their offensive line this offseason — walks away from a proven starter for cap savings they can not claim until June 2.
