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Patriots-La’El Collins Rumors Take Disappointing Turn

By Tyler Maher

Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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We knew the offensive line was going to be a problem for the Patriots this year. That was evident in preseason, when the unit looked out of sync. That was true after roster cuts, when New England bizarrely kept 11 o-linemen on the roster. And that’s still true heading into Week 3, as the Pats have been forced to rely on two rookie guards because of injuries (with predictably poor results).

Fortunately for New England, the Cincinnati Bengals released veteran tackle La’el Collins after Week 1. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they’ve apparently made no progress in signing him after showing initial interest.

Patriots Rumors: La’El Collins Not Happening?

Collins has been available for a full week now, so it’s probably safe to say the Pats are no longer interested. If they were, they likely would have scooped him up by now.

Maybe Bill Belichick thinks that signing Collins isn’t worth the risk. He’s 30, after all, and is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL suffered last December. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be able to come back healthy and be an effective lineman again.

Plus, as we mentioned earlier, New England already has more than enough question marks on the O-line. Adding another one may not be worth the trouble.

Still, it’s a disappointing development nevertheless. The Patriots clearly need help up front, and Collins seemed like a potential solution.

Collins is still available, so perhaps Belichick will change his mind, especially if New England’s offensive line struggles against the Jets in Week 3. If the Patriots lose that game as well and fall to 0-3, you can bet on some major shakeups happening next week.

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