The Dallas Cowboys have once again parted ways with veteran offensive lineman La’el Collins, a player whose journey with the team has been a rollercoaster of triumphs, setbacks, and heartfelt homecomings. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Collins was among the players released by the Cowboys on August 24, 2025, just three weeks after rejoining the team for training camp. Archer noted on X that coaches praised Collins for his mentorship of younger offensive and defensive linemen, a testament to his leadership despite the abrupt end to his second stint with the franchise.
Collins’ return to Dallas in 2025 was a moment of joy for the 31-year-old lineman, who had started 71 games for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2021. In a recent ESPN interview, Collins expressed his deep connection to the team, saying, “The best-case scenario was to go back where it all started, and that’s to be here. It’s nowhere [else] I’d rather be, that’s 100% a fact. Even when I left, it was nothing like home. This is where my heart is.” His excitement was palpable, but the reunion was short-lived, as the Cowboys made the difficult decision to release him once again.
Collins was a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s most formidable offensive lines, alongside franchise icons Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, and Travis Frederick. Recently, he attended the retirement ceremonies for Martin and Smith, where he humorously remarked, “I told them, ‘I’m coming to your retirement, but don’t let none of that stuff rub off on me because I’m not done yet.’” Collins vowed to “keep chopping wood” while supporting his former teammates as they transitioned to the next phase of their lives. Little did he know his own journey with Dallas would soon hit another roadblock.
Collins’ NFL career began under a cloud of adversity. Projected as a first-round pick out of LSU in 2015, he went undrafted after being questioned in the tragic murder of his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Mills, who was killed just days before the draft. Though later cleared as a suspect, the incident left a mark, and Collins signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He quickly proved his worth, starting 11 games as a rookie and becoming a mainstay with 32 consecutive starts in 2017 and 2018. His performance earned him a lucrative five-year, $50 million contract extension with Dallas in 2019.
However, injuries and off-field issues disrupted his trajectory. Collins missed the entire 2020 season due to injuries, and in 2021, he faced a five-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy after missing drug tests and allegedly attempting to bribe a test collector. After requesting his release from Dallas following the 2021 season, Collins signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 15 games in 2022 before a devastating Week 16 injury against the New England Patriots, where he tore his ACL and MCL, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Collins, who has earned nearly $50 million over his career, faced further challenges after his injury. Released by the Bengals in September 2023, he spent the year recovering from his knee issues. In April 2024, he signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, but was let go during final roster cuts in August 2024. His 2022 season with Cincinnati, his last full campaign, saw him allow 34 pressures, five sacks, and commit eight penalties, reflecting the physical toll of his injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Collins’ passion for the game and his connection to Dallas remained unwavering. His brief return to the Cowboys in 2025 was a chance to reclaim his place with the team that gave him his start, but the NFL’s unforgiving roster decisions have once again left him looking for his next opportunity.
As Collins navigates this latest release, his resilience and love for the game will likely drive him forward. Whether he finds a new team or continues to mentor younger players, his journey—from an undrafted rookie to a $50 million starter and now a veteran seeking another shot—embodies the highs and lows of an NFL career. For now, Cowboys fans will remember Collins not only for his contributions on the field but for the heart he poured into the star on his helmet.