Less than two years after the Cincinnati Bengals signed offensive tackle La'el Collins with the expectation that he'd push their offensive line over the top, the Bengals released him.

After the Bengals signed Collins in March 2022, offensive line coach Frank Pollack praised director of player personnel Duke Tobin for the salary cap gymnastics that gave the Bengals the unexpected chance to sign a starting right tackle.

Collins had a poor start to the 2022 season, but he played at a high level over last year's second half. Then Collins tore his ACL in December. He’s still rehabbing from that injury, and Collins started this season on the physically unable to perform list. Still, if the Bengals hadn’t signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency in 2023, Collins likely would have had a role in the Bengals' plans for this season.

How signing Orlando Brown shifted Bengals' needs on offensive line

Initially, Collins was supposed to compete with Jackson Carman for the starting right tackle spot after Collins got healthy. Then, the Bengals unexpectedly signed Brown and moved Jonah Williams to right tackle.

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If the Bengals hadn't cut Collins, then he could have given them an experienced backup swing tackle behind Brown and Williams when Collins was ready to play. The Bengals decided to bet on younger backup tackles on the roster when they released Collins.

What cutting La'el Collins means for Bengals

Collins, a 30-year-old who has been in the NFL since 2015, had two more years left on his contract. His deal had bonuses tied to games played, and Collins’ salary going forward wasn’t guaranteed. By cutting Collins, the Bengals gain either more cap flexibility or more cap relief after giving quarterback Joe Burrow an unprecedented contract extension. 

Now, the Bengals will rely on D’Ante Smith and Carman as their depth at offensive tackle behind Brown and Williams. Smith was active as the backup in Week 1 following an impressive showing in training camp, but has still only played in three NFL games.