Nov 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) celebrate after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
By Ross Jackson
Ten-year NFL veteran and former LSU Tigers offensive lineman is healthy and ready for a return to the NFL, which could involve a reunion in New Orleans
“I’m 100 percent,” the Baton Rouge native said in an interview with Matt Moscona on After Further Review. “I can finally say that, and feeling really good.”
Collins, who spent 2024 on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, said that he has been training with Duke Manyweather, one of the foremost offensive line developers in the industry. Where his next opportunity will bring him is anyone’s guess, but Collins didn’t mince words that he’s been chatting up a familiar face.
“What’s crazy about the NFL, anything can happen right?” Collins said. “I mean, you got Kellen (Moore) over there down in New Orleans. We’ve been talking a little bit. Hopefully… You never know what could happen.”
Collins and Moore overlapped in Dallas with the Cowboys 2015-2021 before the offensive lineman got a three-year deal to try to help shore up the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line. The overlap is an interesting one as Collins went from protecting Moore as a quarterback to eventually having more become his offensive coordinator over the years.
So, not many in the league right now will have the full grasp of what Collins could bring to a club like Moore, now the Saints’ head coach, will.
The Saints have been active in adding depth and experience to their protection unit, Collins could be another outstanding and versatile addition.
He acknowledged that he could just as well end up back with Dallas, but the Moore and Louisiana connections (which the Saints have valued a lot lately) are strong to consider.
Collins, who is returning to Baton Rouge later in the week for a football camp in collaboration with Mayor-President Sid Edwards, began to develop his relationship with Moore while both were running in the second group of the Cowboys’ roster at practices.
“He’s going to be a great coach in the NFL for a long time,” Collins said of his former teammate turned coordinator. “Obviously I had to tell him that I’m here for him, too. If he ever needs to call me, I’ll be ready.”
Should Collins get the chance to return to his home state to play for the Saints, much like other LSU Tigers like running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, tight end Foster Moreau and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, Collins said it would be “something truly special.” Just the thought of the prospect took the lineman back to his little league days playing in Louisiana.
“I would love it though,” he said. ”To be right back there. I tell you what, it’s funny because when I was in little league, we played an all-star game in the Saints practice facility and at halftime at one of their games. And Drew Brees was obviously playing at the time and I was (a) little league young guy and and he called us up and broke it down.I told him that story when I played against him in real life and and he he kind of remembered it a little bit and that that meant a lot to me.”
