Ezekiel Elliott desires the Patriots to signal La’el Collins, who’s ‘one in every of his greatest pals’

Offensive sort out La’el Collins is offered on the free agent market after being reduce by the Bengals earlier this week.

The Patriots have proven curiosity in Collins, in accordance with Mark Daniels of MassLive. The Patriots are doing their “due diligence” on the gifted sort out who’s recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in a sport in opposition to the Patriots on the finish of final 12 months.

One participant who wouldn’t thoughts if the Patriots added Collins is working again Ezekiel Elliott. Collins blocked for Elliott for half a decade when the pair had been in Dallas.

“I’d like to see LC right here,” Elliott stated. “LC is one in every of my greatest pals. We’re tremendous shut, and it might be nice to get him up right here.”

Collins was a member of the Dallas offensive line that allowed the least quantity of sacks within the NFL in 2019. He signed a 5-year, $50 million extension with the workforce earlier than accidents derailed the remainder of his time with the Cowboys.

He missed the 2020 season with a hip harm. He additionally was suspended for 5 video games in 2021 for a violation of the league’s substance abuse coverage.

Collins began in all however two of the Bengals’ regular-season video games final 12 months, however a knee harm in opposition to the Patriots ended his season and compelled Cincinnati to position him on the PUP listing to start out the season.

However, if there’s anybody who is aware of what a wholesome Collins may probably add to the Patriots, it’s Elliott, who ran behind him for a number of years. Collins was part of the offensive line that produced most of Elliott’s best seasons.

“He’s a load. He likes to get his fingers on folks,” Elliott stated. “He’s going to punch. He’s going to strike the heck out of you. He is aware of what he’s doing. He’s a vet.