Cincinnati Bengals' Decision to Release La'el Collins Explained

Did they make the right move?

CINCINNATI — The Bengals released La'el Collins on Tuesday. It was a surprise to many, including those that cover the team. 

They kept him throughout training camp and for the first week of the season, but opted to part ways. 

Why would they make this move? Don't they know how valuable offensive line depth is in the NFL? 

It's a question plenty of fans are asking since Collins's release. 

The Bengals made this decision for a few reasons. 

They save $7.4 million in cap space this season, unless they gave Collins an injury settlement. If they did, they still cleared $6.2 million in cap room.

That gives them added flexibility after signing Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson and most notably Joe Burrow—to contract extensions over the past six weeks. 

The Bengals now have roughly $12 million in room, which is fifth in the NFL according to OverTheCap.com.

This doesn't mean they're going to use that money right away. In fact, it's more likely that they hold onto it and potentially roll it over into next season. It does give them added flexibility this year, including space to potentially add a piece at the trade deadline. 

That isn't something that the Bengals normally do, but they also shy away from guaranteed money and just signed Burrow to a contract that included $219.1 million guaranteed. 

We're in uncharted territory for this franchise. 

By releasing Collins, they also clear over $7 million in cap space next season. The Bengals shed roughly $14 million in cap space, which could be put towards a plethora of players. 

Tee Higgins is the easiest example. The 24-year-old is in the last year of his contract. If the Bengals have to franchise tag Higgins next offseason, his cap hit will be around $23 million. 

This could also be applied to other players, including DJ Reader and Chidobe Awuzie. If the Bengals choose to re-sign either veteran, their 2024 cap hit would be less than the $14 million in space they saved by releasing Collins. 

The 30-year-old was still recovering from a torn ACL. He wasn't ready to play yet and could be out for another 4-6 weeks, league sources tell All Bengals. 

That timeline makes sense considering he underwent knee reconstruction surgery in January.

"Everyday, I'm able to do some different, I can tell that my knee's locked in there it's stable," Collins said last month. "I do a little more. I feel a little better. I get a little stronger. So we've just been stacking good days on top of good days."

If the Bengals are having issues at offensive tackle a month from now, there's no reason why Cincinnati couldn't bring him back on a different deal. 

He knows the system. He loves playing for Zac Taylor. The Bengals front office has a good relationship with his agent Peter Schaffer. I don't think they burned that bridge on the way out, but passing on the chance to clear at least $13.4 million in cap room over the next two seasons (dependent on injury settlement) was too tempting. 

Collins is weeks [potentially months], from returning to full health. He never asked for his release, despite some speculation that he might've wanted to test the market, league sources confirmed. 

The Bengals gave themselves cap flexibility for future moves. That's why they moved on from Collins. 

It is risky. They're banking on D'Ante Smith and Jackson Carman to continue to develop behind two veteran starters: Orlando Brown Jr. and Jonah Williams. It would've been nice to have Collins around, just in case Brown or Williams went down with an injury. 

The Bengals also know that a reunion with Collins is possible, especially if he doesn't get scooped up right away by one of the offensive line needy teams out there, including the Jets and Patriots. 

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