The Washington Commanders agreed to terms on a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for quarterback Carson Wentz Wednesday. Washington inherited Wentz’s contract, which will count $28 million against the salary cap in 2022.
After agreeing to a deal for Wentz, Washington was left with $5.9 million in cap room, per Over the Cap. Now, the team is working to create more space, and the No. 1 target is safety Landon Collins.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Commanders are expected to release Collins after the two sides could not agree on a restructured contract.
Collins spent three seasons with the Commanders after beginning his NFL career with the New York Giants.
Sources: The Washington #Commanders are expected to release star defender Landon Collins after the two sides did not agree on a restructured contract. Collins will now hit free agency to cash in again.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2022
Collins struggled for the Commanders until moving to linebacker early last season. Collins was not isolated in coverage and was allowed to play closer to the line of scrimmage. While he bristled at being called a linebacker, he embraced his role and was arguably Washington’s second-best defensive player after the switch.
Washington wanted Collins back, but there was no way he was coming back at the $16 million cap number.
Collins confirmed to Josina Anderson of CBS and USA TODAY Sports, he was departing Washington. He said he agreed to an initial re-worked deal, but the terms changed once Washington acquired Wentz.
Landon Collins just told me he's moving on from the Washington Commanders, per him.
"They asked me to take a pay cut. The first one was fine. Then they asked me to take another one. The money changed after they signed Carson Wentz. I'll just take my chances in free agency."
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 10, 2022
It will be interesting to see where Collins lands and at what price.