Bengals Free Agency: La’el Collins is one of the best signings this offseason

Fans have been thrilled with how Bengals free agency has gone so far and the most exciting move came last weekend when the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with La’el Collins on a three-year deal worth $21 million, per Over the Cap.

This move was solid for so many reasons but the biggest is that it nearly guarantees that the offensive line will be better in 2022. As we all know, the o-line was the biggest weak link for the team that represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. With a better o-line, even just slightly better, the stripes might be the defending Super Bowl champions right now.

That’s why the goal entering Bengals free agency was to improve on the offensive line and Cincinnati has done just that.

Bengals Free Agency: La’el Collins is the missing puzzle piece

Riley Reiff did okay at right tackle last year but the injuries at the end of the regular season proved pivotal, as Isaiah Prince then had to step in. We know how that turned out.

Adding Collins gives the team stability at right tackle (though he has battled injuries throughout the course of his career as well). He also brings swagger to the group and became a fan favorite with a message he had for Joe Burrow when he got to town.

Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports wrote about the five best free-agent signings and the five worst free-agent signings and his fifth-best signing was indeed Collins landing with the stripes.

Dajani offered this analysis:

"The 28-year-old registered an 82 PFF grade and allowed two sacks this past season in 12 games played. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Collins received a three-year, $30 million deal that looks like a two-year, $20 million deal worth up to $22 million. The third year of the deal was added to spread out Cincinnati’s cap charge."

As you can see, no one is 100% certain on the contract for Collins as of now, as Dajani included a different number from what Over the Cap provided us with. It’s a bit of a mystery as of now.

Either way, the Bengals filled a major position of need and they did it for relatively cheap. Collins is a freak of nature and will join an offensive line that needs his swagger and confidence on a weekly basis.

Protecting Joe Burrow is priority No. 1 this year and Collins’ addition ensures the Bengals’ offensive line will do just that. Home run signing.