Dallas Cowboys Ex Could Fill Buffalo Bills' Left Guard Vacancy

The Buffalo Bills will feature a new starting left guard this season as Connor McGovern moves over to center. Former Dallas Cowboys' stalwart La'el Collins will likely compete for the job.

Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) / Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

A starting spot opened up along the Buffalo Bills' offensive line when the team released center Mitch Morse, and it seems as veteran La'el Collins is coming to claim it.

While Connor McGovern, who started all 17 games at left guard last season, was tabbed to slide over one spot and fill the void at center, some presumed that the re-signed David Edwards would be promoted into the starting left guard role. Although Edwards, who saw significant snaps as a sixth offensive lineman in 2023, may wind up as a starter, the Bills have inserted a variable into the mix.

Oct 29, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, Buffalo officially announced thesigning of Collins, a former Dallas Cowboys' stalwart at right tackle,who also boasts game experience at left guard.

"Contract signed, sealed. It's go time, baby. Let's get it," said Collins in a social media video posted by the team.

Collins, who will turn 31 this summer, has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2022 season when he tore his left ACL as the Cincinnati Bengals' starting right bookend in Week 16. He started 15 straight games in his first season since moving on from Dallas.

The Bengals released Collins this past September. Despite working out for multiple teams, including the New York Jets and New York Giants, last fall, Collins was unable to land a big-league contract while apparently not yet fully recovered from ACL surgery.

The Bills inking Collins to a contract reportedly worth up to $6.25 million suggests they view the veteran as a potential starting piece. Inserting Collins as the left guard would allow Edwards to remain in a role that he mastered last year.

The 6-4 Collins spent his first six NFL seasons, including 74 appearances (71 starts), as a Cowboy. He made 11 straight starts at left guard as a rookie in 2015. He began the 2016 campaign as Dallas' No. 1 left guard but lasted only three weeks before needing season-ending surgery on his foot.

Bills' Projected OL Starters
LT Dion Dawkins


LG La'el Collins/David Edwards


C Connor McGovern


RG O'Cyrus Torrence


RT Spencer Brown