Camila Sosa
The Cincinnati Bengals made it a priority for the 2022 season to improve the offensive line that takes care of Joe Burrow and the hiring of La’el Collins responds very well to that situation.
As reported by the team on their website, the offensive guard signed with the Bengals for the next three seasons. However, it was ESPN’s Adam Schefter who revealed the $30 million contract.
Schefter explained that while the contract is listed for three seasons, a source confirmed that in practice it is for two years and $20 million, extendable up to 22, and that the third year was added to prorate the total amount and give a little more salary space to the Bengals.
Collins was released last week by the Dallas Cowboys, a team that needed to get out of several pieces because of its problems with the salary cap. After not getting him a change organization, the team took the decision to release him and release 10 million dollars in salary space.
Despite missing the entire 2020 season with a hip injury, and five games in 2021 for violating the NFL’s banned substances policy, Collins was a consistent element on the Cowboys’ offensive line since he signed as an undrafted player in 2015 due to his great versatility on the grid. An instance of his versatility is that, during last season, he played as a right tackle, but he also has experience as a guard.
“I think there are good adjustments and perfect adjustments. And I felt (with the Bengals) that I fit in perfectly from the beginning,” Collins told ESPN’s Ben Baby about why he signed with Cincinnati.
Since the Dallas Cowboys released him, La’el Collins became a highly sought after piece in the free agent market: organizations such as the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos were interested in hiring him. The interest of these teams is well supported since last season, according to data from PFF.com, Collins allowed only 17 hits and two sacks in 454 quarterback protection snaps in which he was present.
La’el Collins, Joe Burrow’s Bodyguard
One of the reasons for Dak Prescott’s success with the Cowboys is that the Dallas team had in recent seasons one of the best offensive lines on the circuit, with La’el Collins being an important part of it.
So, when he was released, it was no surprise that the Bengals did everything they could to hire him and improve on the horrific statistic behind the team all season, including the postseason, by finishing up leading in sacks allowed to their quarterback, Joe Burrow, who was caught 70 times (an unforgivable number taking into account that this is a team that aspires to compete in the championship).
Burrow himself, knowing of the proximity of Collins’ signature, sent him a message to know if it was already ready.
“Yes, he sent me a message to find out if he had already signed. I said, ‘Your new bodyguard is already in town. No one is going to touch you,'” Collins told reporters at Cincinnati’s press conference to introduce him as part of the team.
Prior to The Signing of La’el Collins, the Bengals had already signed guards Alex Cappa and Ted Karras, which was a real advance over what was available last season.
