Report: Dallas Cowboys sign OT La'el Collins, reunite with former starter

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign offensive tackle La’el Collins, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Collins played for the Cowboys from 2015-21 and played on their practice squad for 12 days in January 2024.

Collins is ready to wear the star on his helmet once again. Collins reportedly had a strong workout for the Cowboys today. The team brought him in for a workout after Tyler Guyton suffered a bone fracture earlier this week. Guyton is expected to be out for four to six weeks.

During his six seasons in Dallas, Collins played in 74 games with 71 starts at guard and tackle. Most recently, Collins was on the Buffalo Bills last season, but didn’t see any action for the team.

Some Cowboys fans will take issue with the team’s decision to sign La’el Collins due to Dallas’ ongoing contract dispute with star EDGE Micah Parsons. On Friday, Parsons announced on social media that he wants to be traded.

“I wanted to be here,” Parsons wrote. “I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet. I wanted to play in front of the best fans in sports and make this Americas team once again. The team my pops and I grew up cheering for way up in Harrisburg, PA.

“Unfortunately I no longer want to be here. I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me. I had purposely stayed quiet in hopes of getting something done.”

Parsons is entering the fifth-year option of his rookie deal as a defensive end. He will earn $21.34 million this year.

As early as 2023, Parsons reached out to the Cowboys to discuss a contract extension. However, the two parties haven’t made any substantial progress in contract talks. The Cowboys could continue to use their franchise tag on Parsons and retain his rights until 2028.

While this would keep the Cowboys from having to sign a long-term deal with Parsons, it would be a costly endeavor. Other star pass rushers around the league, including Myles Garrett (four years, $160 million), Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million) and T.J. Watt (three years, $123 million), have each signed massive extensions this offseason.

In his four seasons with the Cowboys, Micah Parsons has been excellent. This past season, Parsons tallied 43 tackles and 12 sacks, the fifth-most in the league, despite missing four games due to injury.