The New Orleans Saints are stirring up excitement and intrigue with whispers of a potential reunion between head coach Kellen Moore and a familiar face from his Dallas Cowboys days: offensive tackle La’el Collins. The 31-year-old lineman, a former standout at LSU, has been out of the NFL spotlight since 2022, sidelined by a string of injuries. But now, with reports of conversations between Moore and Collins, Saints fans are buzzing with speculation. Could this be the comeback story of the 2025 season?
Collins, who last played for the Buffalo Bills but never saw the field in 2024, was a force during his tenure with the Cowboys from 2015 to 2021. Coincidentally, that’s the same period Moore served in Dallas, first as a quarterbacks coach and later as offensive coordinator. Their shared history has sparked talk of a possible signing, though insiders caution that discussions don’t always lead to deals. “Don’t confuse conversations with negotiations,” wrote Darrion Gray of FanSided, “even if the topic is about Collins possibly joining the Saints.” Yet, Gray also noted, “The two having a conversation shows there is still a connection, and connections go a long way in this business.”
The Saints’ offensive line could certainly use the depth. With injuries plaguing their roster in recent seasons, a player like Collins—when healthy—could be a game-changer. His pedigree is undeniable: a dominant college career at LSU, where he earned All-SEC honors, and a solid NFL track record before injuries derailed his momentum. But the elephant in the room remains his health. Collins missed significant time in 2016, sat out the entire 2020 and 2023 seasons, and was a non-factor for Buffalo last year. “It’s impossible to have a conversation around Collins without discussing his injury history,” Gray emphasized.
Still, there’s hope on the horizon. Collins has boldly declared himself “100 percent” and ready to return to the gridiron. For a Saints team looking to bolster its trenches, the prospect of signing a motivated, battle-tested veteran with local roots is tantalizing. His LSU ties could make him an instant fan favorite in the Big Easy, and a reunion with Moore might just unlock the chemistry needed to revive his career.
So, should the Saints roll the dice and invite Collins to training camp? The potential reward is high—a proven lineman with a chip on his shoulder—but the risk of reinjury looms large. For now, the talks remain shrouded in mystery, leaving fans to wonder if this forgotten star is about to shine again in New Orleans. One thing’s certain: if Moore and Collins can rekindle their Dallas magic, the Saints’ offensive line could be in for a surprising boost in 2025.