Collins played in 30 games for the Browns. The 29-year-old missed the entire 2017 season due to a torn MCL. He started all 16 games for the Browns last season, leading the team with 104 tackles, recording 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
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| Collins recovers a fumble in a game versus Atlanta last season. (AP Photo) |
Before releasing Collins, the Browns had tried to trade the linebacker but no teams were interested because of the high salary ($10.3 million) he was due in 2019.
Once a dominant player with the Patriots, Collins led the team with 138 tackles in 2014 on the way to a Super Bowl title. He earned his only Pro Bowl selection the following year, amassing a career-high 5.5 sacks in only 12 games.
Collins' release was hinted at by Browns general manager John Dorsey during the NFL Scouting Combine
"There were some inconsistencies,'' he said at the time. "You don't know what leads to it. He may have been nicked. All I know is he's a very talented football player and you can't have enough of those guys on your team."
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that cutting Collins gives the Browns over $80 million in cap space, the third-most space in the league.
The #Browns now have over $80 million in 2019 cap space. Only the #Jets and #Colts (both $100M+) have more, with one week and plenty of moves to go before the league year begins.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2019
A return to the Patriots is not out of the question for Collins. He could take a short-term 'prove-it' deal and serve as a situational pass rusher. Furthermore, the Patriots had discussions with the Browns about Collins at last season's trade deadline.
Collins was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
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