Former Cowboy La'el Collins locks in big pay day from Cincinnati

New Cincinnati Bengals tackle La’el Collins is getting a massive payday after signing with his new team on Sunday.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reports that Collins signed a three-year, $30 million deal to step up as quarterback Joe Burrow’s top bodyguard. Although the deal on paper is for three years, Schefter’s sources tell him that it’s “more of a $20 million deal worth up to $22 million” and that the third year is to help spread out the cap hit for the Bengals.

Bengals gave former Cowboys’ OT La’el Collins a three-year, $30 million deal that, in reality, is more of a two-year, $20 million deal worth up to $22 millon, per sources. The third year was added to help prorate the deal and spread out Cincinnati’s cap charge.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2022

The Dallas Cowboys cut the former LSU star this offseason in an attempt to help save cap space.

After going undrafted in 2015, Collins signed with the Dallas Cowboys and played in 74 games over six seasons. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound lineman started 10 games in 2021.

La’el Collins reveals epic first quote to Joe Burrow

Last season, Joe Burrow carried the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl behind one of the worst offensive lines in NFL history. Not surprisingly, the franchise has made it a focus to upgrade their offensive line during the 2022 offseason. Recently signed OT La’el Collins had some epic first words for his new star quarterback.

According to Marisa Contipelli, the former LSU Tigers‘ star told Burrow, “Your new bodyguard is in town, no one’s touching you.”

Landing Collins is massive for the Bengals since they had to beat out the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots for his services. Cincinnati still has a little bit of work to be done along the offensive line but acquiring Collins is definitely yet another step in the right direction. The Bengals still need to find a few more pieces for their offensive line, whether it’s in free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Collins planned to leave Cincinnati for another free agent visit after the meeting, but the Bengals did not let him go. The deal marks the third offensive line shift the Bengals have made this offseason in an attempt to protect the future of their franchise.

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this report.