It turns out the Cincinnati Bengals called the bluff of the Dallas Cowboys by playing the waiting game on offensive tackle La’el Collins and then ended up signing him in free agency for essentially the same cash.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Collins’ deal is a three-year pact worth $30 million that, due to the structure, is really a two-year deal worth $22 million.
That third year is aimed at spreading out the cap charge on Cincinnati’s books.
Cincinnati could have traded for Collins and put effectively the same contract on their books. By waiting it out, they pay the same money but didn’t sacrifice anything via trade.
As Collins himself said after signing — and while also dropping an epic quote about Joe Burrow — the Bengals were always the smartest fit because of need, the overall team and his old coach Frank Pollack.
The Bengals accomplished this feat while other teams like the Patriots and Panthers tried to sign Collins, too.
