How the Cowboys' release of La'el Collins is a message of trust above all else

A Dallas Cowboys offseason that has been nothing but strange moves added another head-scratcher. The team has opted to part ways with starting right tackle La'el Collins, designating Collins as a post-June 1 cut. Dallas is willingly moving on from a young starting offensive lineman on a friendly deal. That is certainly more the exception […]

Cole Patterson
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Offensive tackle La'el Collins (left to right), offensive guard Zack Martin, running back Ezekiel Elliott and offensive tackle Tyron Smith head out to the field during the Dallas Cowboys' first full day of training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Cowboys Training Camp 24
Offensive tackle La’el Collins (left to right), offensive guard Zack Martin, running back Ezekiel Elliott and offensive tackle Tyron Smith head out to the field during the Dallas Cowboys’ first full day of training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Cowboys Training Camp 24

A Dallas Cowboys offseason that has been nothing but strange moves added another head-scratcher. The team has opted to part ways with starting right tackle La'el Collins, designating Collins as a post-June 1 cut.

Dallas is willingly moving on from a young starting offensive lineman on a friendly deal. That is certainly more the exception than the rule in a league where offensive line play is so critical.

Making this kind of move shows the level of confidence that the Dallas Cowboys have in Terence Steele.

Steele, a rising third-year tackle, has served as La'el Collins' primary backup at right tackle. However, injuries and a suspension have opened the door for Steele to play significant snaps over the past two years.

The former undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech took his lumps as a rookie, but Steele improved noticeably during his second season. This couldn't be more evident than his Week 2 showing against Joey Bosa and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Releasing La'el Collins demonstrates the difference in trust that the Cowboys have in their right tackles.

Collins was suspended five games last season, and it never appeared that the coaching staff ever fully trusted him again. Dallas was reluctant to insert Collins back into the starting lineup upon returning from the five-game absence.

Additionally, the Cowboys have made it known that they are looking to save money this offseason. Steele is a younger and cheaper option that has proven to be reliable. Cutting Collins will save the Cowboys $10 million after June 1.

The two big moves of the Dallas Cowboys offseason thus far include moving on from two starters: Collins and Amari Cooper. In both instances, Dallas is showing the confidence that the team has in a player at the same position: Steele at tackle and CeeDee Lamb at receiver.

It will be interesting to see if the Dallas Cowboys' strategy pays off.

Featured image via  JUAN CARLO/THE STAR via Imagn Content Services, LLC

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