Ahead of NFL free agency and the start of the new league year, Dallas Cowboys veteran starting right offensive tackle La’el Collins has been the subject of trade inquiries with NFL teams contacting the NFC East franchise for exploratory calls, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. However, no trade is imminent, per a source.
The Cowboys like Terence Steele as a potential replacement for Collins, which is why the Cowboys are listening to the incoming calls regarding Collins. Whether a trade comes to fruition remains to be seen, but it’s a legitimate possibility.
Suspension in background when it comes to La’el Collins and possible trade destinations
Collins served a five-game suspension last season for a violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. The punishment was triggered by a missed test. Collins started 10 games in 2021 and is due a $10 million base salary in 2020 with $6.483 million guaranteed for injury only with that figure fully guaranteed for skill and salary cap on the fifth day of the league year, according to NFL Players Association records.
He is due $10 million base salaries in 2023 and 2024 that are nonguaranteed.
A former undrafted free agent from LSU, Collins restructured his five-year, $50 million contract last year. A former Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner at LSU, he signed with the Cowboys in 2015 as an undrafted free agent due to concerns about a pending legal matter at the time of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Before that legal matter came to the forefront, many expected Collins to be drafted in the first round. He has started 71 of 74 career games and is a former All-Southeastern Conference selection.