After not being able to find a trade partner, the Dallas Cowboys have decided to release right tackle La’el Collins, according to sources.
His departure was expected, as they had tried to shop him in a trade for much of the last week.
But with no suitable offers, likely due to teams knowing he was going to be cut, the Cowboys made the move on Thursday.
He will be classified as a post-June 1 cut, saving them $10 million.
Collins is expected to have a strong market in free agency with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets among his potential suitors.
Collins started 71 games with the Cowboys since joining the team in 2015, but he missed 21 over the past two seasons. He did not play in 2020 because of hip surgery and started 10 of the 12 games he played in 2021, missing five due to an NFL suspension.
The Cowboys had already decided to elevate Terence Steele into the starting role at right tackle, paving the way for Collins' departure. That’s part of a larger remaking of the Cowboys’ offensive line. The team is also looking for a new left guard after Connor Williams signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
