La'el Collins teases NFL comeback with Saints, talks high respect for Kellen Moore
Could more help be on the way for the New Orleans Saints' offensive line? Maybe so. After turning pro out of LSU, La'el Collins spent the first seven years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he got to know Kellen Moore as both a coach and a teammate. And the Baton Rouge native suggested something may be brewing as the Saints prepare for Moore's first training camp as their head coach.
"What's crazy about the NFL, anything can happen right? I I mean, you got Kellen over there down in New Orleans. We've been talking a little bit. Hopefully," Collins trailed off, speaking with After Further Review's Matt Moscona about an NFL comeback. "You never know what could happen."
Collins, who turns 32 this month, played left guard and left tackle at LSU, earning All-SEC recognition in both 2013 and 2014, but moved to right tackle with the Cowboys and insisted on staying there; he was later cut by Dallas with three years left on his contract. Back and knee injuries interrupted his time with the Cincinnati Bengals and he briefly returned to the Cowboys practice squad before the 2023 season drew to a close. He tried out at Buffalo Bills training camp last summer, working at both guard and tackle, but didn't make the team. All told, he's started 86 of his 89 games in the NFL, plus three playoff games.
It's clear that he has a ton of respect for Moore, and the pair have a good relationship. Collins continued: "He's going to be a great coach in the NFL for a long time. Obviously I had to tell him that I'm here for him, too. If he ever needs to call me, I'll be ready."
The Saints have loaded up with former LSU Tigers like safety Tyrann Mathieu, tight end Foster Moreau, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, offensive lineman Will Clapp, and this offseason's trade pickup Davon Godchaux (who is expected to play heavy minutes at nose tackle in Brandon Staley's new-look defense), so Collins would be in good company. Maybe he could offer better depth inside at guard or share some experience with Taliese Fuaga at right tackle. We'll see.
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