Why La’el Collins has the chance to become the face of the Bengals’ offensive line

The Cincinnati Bengals signed or re-signed several notable players this offseason. Not one player signing was more popular with the fan base than right tackle La’el Collins, though.

Why?

Because Collins, when healthy, was once viewed as one of the best tackles in the game. The biggest Achilles heel for the Bengals in the 2021 season was the protection for start quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s front office addressed the interior of the offensive line by signing Alex Cappa and Ted Karras on the first day of free agency. While the additions were lauded by many, they were almost to be expected, to a degree.

The surprise of free agency was the Bengals’ ability to land Collins. After some chatter that the Dallas Cowboys were shopping Collins, speculation about Cincinnati’s potential interest began. The pairing made too much sense for a few reasons.

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First is Collins’ relationship with the Bengals’ current offensive line coach Frank Pollack. Collins played for Pollack from 2015-17 in Dallas where Pollack served as the Cowboys’ offensive line coach. Then, came Cincinnati’s need to fill a hole at its starting right tackle spot. The Bengals opted not to re-sign Riley Reiff and didn’t sign a tackle in the first few days. Finally, the LSU factor weighed in. Collins, Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, who never played together at LSU, share a common love for their alma matter.

The move made too much sense not to happen and after a few days of negotiations, they made a deal. Collins needed a fresh start and the Bengals need his talent.

When the Bengals began their offseason program in May, Collins was present. Cincinnati’s head coach Zac Taylor opted to change his approach to the offseason after the grueling 2021 season. Everything was at a walk-through pace; no contact drills took place. Therefore, it made it hard to get a read on how Collins was meshing with the Bengals’ offensive line.

Then one of the bigger surprises at the start of training camp was Collins being placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list July 23. On Aug. 10, Collins passed his physical and was able to resume practice.

“It felt great,” Collins said following practice. “I missed some of the little things from putting the pads on, just smelling your helmet when you sweat. Just little things like that.”

The questions regarding Collins aren’t centered around his talent. Ask any NFL personnel evaluator, most would say they would love to have a player of Collins’ caliber at right tackle.

Rather, questions surround his ability to stay on the field.

The NFL suspended Collins, who missed five games in 2021 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. In 2020, he did not play the entire season due to a hip injury that required surgery. He started just 10 games for the Cowboys in 2021.

That’s why Collins starting his career off with the Bengals with an injury raised eyebrows. While sidelined during training camp, Taylor remained consistent in his message that he was not worried about Collins being out for an extended period of time. Collins never shared the details of how he injured his back over the summer, but the assumption was he would be ready to go when it mattered.

For the first time since he signed Collins this spring, Taylor would be able to see his new right tackle in pads. Taylor hinted Collins wouldn’t be rushed back into team drills but would get some individual work. They have a plan in place to ease Collins back into things hoping to avoid any setbacks.

“I think that’s a great, great step in the right direction for us,” Taylor said of Collins being cleared to return. “He’ll be limited, you know. We’re not going to throw him out there in the team mixes, but just to get him back in the walk-throughs, get him in back in the individual with Frank (Pollack). That’s the starting process for this week and then we’ll continue to grow from there, but good to get him back in the mix.”

If you ask Collins what his main goal is for the upcoming season, it’s to play a full season at full strength. Collins doesn’t want to miss one game. Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who played with Collins for four years in Dallas, can sense Collins’ desire to accomplish this feat.

“That’s the hardest thing about this game is playing a full season,” Awuzie said. “They always say availability is your best ability for all players. I think that’s our No. 1 goal. Especially for LC, someone who’s so good but hasn’t really caught a break in playing a full season, I think he’s played one or two, I think when he plays a full season, he’s an All-Pro, Pro Bowl player for sure.”The Bengals need Collins to be the best version of himself. Burrow was sacked a league-high 70 times last season and the 25-year-old has been subject to far too many hits at this point in his young career.

That’s why when asked what is the most important trait for Taylor looks for when evaluating the right tackle position, it all starts with his ability to protect the quarterback.

“Protecting the quarterback, No. 1,” Taylor said. “You know, how they fit into your run game. And of course, we’re evaluating the people as well. And so we felt like Frank’s relationship with him ... he coached him, he’s about the right things. First and foremost, we want to protect ourselves in the pass game when the moments get tight and thought LC was really going to help us there and be a big part of that. At the same time, he brings a lot of power and athleticism to the run game. So, it’s just really a perfect fit for any offense really.”

Cincinnati signed Collins to a three-year, $21 million deal and the hope is between he and Cappa, the Bengals’ right side of their offensive line will be much improved. Collins is known for his toughness and physicality and that’s what the Bengals felt they needed more of upfront.

When asked what Collins does best as an offensive lineman, second-year guard Jackson Carman, who has looked up to Collins since he was in high school and is battling for a starting spot, rattled off several things. The Bengals are hoping Collins’ mentorship of Carman will pay dividends and it appears it’s progressing that way.

“He’s extremely athletic… he plays very violent,” Carman said. “He’s also just a physical, nasty dude which is something I’m taking to my game as well."

In addition to what Collins can bring from a physicality standpoint, what he’s brought to the group from a mental standpoint is equally as important. Just ask Carman.

As a second-round pick, Carman struggled in his first season. He wasn’t consistent enough across the board for the Bengals and when drafted that high, it became a problem. Taylor and his staff are giving Carman another chance to redeem himself and earn the starting left guard job. So far, the coaching staff is impressed with this growth and maturity and some of that can be credited to Collins for what he’s taught the young player.

“Just about how you pay attention to little details,” Carman said of what he’s learned from Collins. “For instance, out at walk-through, making sure you’re extra focused on your technique, even though we’re going at a slower tempo.”

Carman said being more detailed in his approach has “definitely” paid off during practice.

The Bengals won’t know exactly what they have in Collins likely until Sept. 11 when the team opens its season against the Steelers. While practice provides snapshots of where a player is, the real test comes when he works to block Pittsburgh’s defensive line.

Time will tell if the investment the Bengals made in Collins was worth it but for now, the overwhelming response from players and coaches is that he’s already made a huge impact.

Exactly what the Bengals and Burrow need as they embark on their quest to return to Super Bowl 57.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: La’el Collins has the chance to lead the Bengals' offensive line