The Buffalo Bills bolstered their offensive line depth by signing La’el Collins to a one-year deal. Collins, 30, previously worked out with the Bills towards the end of the regular season but ended up joining the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. Despite grappling with injuries lately, Collins sees an opportunity to revitalize his career with the Bills. Here’s what fans should know about the team’s latest addition.
In addition to working out for the Bills in late December last season, Collins considered joining the Bills as a UDFA in 2015. Rex Ryan, then the head coach, made a trip to Baton Rouge to try and convince Collins to join Buffalo’s roster, but he eventually opted to sign a three-year, $1.7 million contract that was fully guaranteed with the Dallas Cowboys.
It took some time, but Buffalo was finally able to get Collins.
The Bills had competition for La’el Collins. According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Collins had at least one other suitor before choosing Buffalo. Schultz said that Collins chose Buffalo in the hopes of winning a Super Bowl.Collins brings plenty of experience to Buffalo. During his time in Dallas and with the Cincinnati Bengals, Collins has appeared in 89 games while recording 86 starts.
Collins has played at left guard and right tackle in his career. He will likely be given a chance to compete for the left guard job against David Edwards. His ability to play at multiple spots on the line increases his chances of making the final roster
Collins spent last season recovering from an injury and didn’t participate in any games. He was released from the Bengals’ reserve/PUP list in September 2023 after sustaining a serious knee injury in a Week 16 game against the Patriots in 2022. Additionally, he missed the 2020 season due to a neck injury from a car accident and groin injuries. Despite these setbacks, he managed to start in 25 games between the injuries.
