NFC Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Seahawks

Cowboys

While the big three of QB Dak Prescott, WR Amari Cooper and RB Ezekiel Elliott remain unsigned, Dallas continues to lock up other pieces, signing OT La’el Collins to a five-year, $50 million extension on Tuesday that gives him $35 million in total guarantees and puts his salary inside the top-five right tackles in the NFL. 

“He’s done nothing but make his mark,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “He’s the enforcer as (OL coach Marc) Colombo refers to him lovingly on the offensive line. …We’ve come to terms, and congratulations to him.”

• Collins said earlier this summer he wanted to finish his career as a Dallas Cowboy and Jones agreed: “I think he will finish his career as a Dallas Cowboy.” (Calvin Watkins)
• Jones added Collins’ extension further constricts the Cowboys’ cap situation and affects how much the team can pay for other extensions: “There’s no question the pie is getting smaller. To the extent we look at how much we allocate to each and every player, each and every position, that creates boundaries… That’s called planning.” (Gehlken)
• Collins’ extension creates $5.7 million in cap space for the Cowboys. (Adam Schefter)
• Collins received a $9 million signing bonus and base salaries of $1.016 million (2019), $6.45 million (2020), $8.55 million (2021), $10 million (2022), $10 million (2023), $10 million (2024). (Todd Archer)
• Collins has a $3.5 million option bonus due on the fifth day of the 2020 league year. His 2021 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of that league year, and $6.483 million of his 2022 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of that league year.

Redskins

• Part of the reason for Redskins OT Trent Williams‘ holdout from the team has reportedly been issues with the team medical staff that allegedly mishandled a situation with a growth on Williams’ head.
• According to former Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall via Mark Bullock, Redskins GM Bruce Allen told Williams “Tell me who to fire and I’ll fire them.”
• Hall says Williams didn’t want to be responsible for someone losing their job: “Man, I don’t want to cost nobody their job. I don’t want to put anybody’s livelihood in my hands.”

Seahawks

Seahawks OT Duane Brown joined the team in 2017 following a mid-season trade from the Texans. When Houston made DE Jadeveon Clowney available, Brown not only offered the team valuable insight on Clowney, he also pitched his former teammate on the benefits of Seattle over Houston. 

“He was like, ‘You need to come play with us. You’ll love it here. Great weather. It’s not hot like Houston. Great fan support. Other great teammates on this team. Come be a part of something great,'” Clowney said via ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “I was like, ‘Man, you know what? I’m going to look into that, try to get up there with you guys.'”

Because Clowney did not sign his franchise tag from Houston, he was able to veto a potential trade to Miami the Texans were exploring before ultimately agreeing to trade him to the Seahawks. Clowney clarified he didn’t force his way off the team, he just picked his destination once Houston decided they wanted to move on from him. 

“I don’t think I decided that,” he said. “They decided that. I didn’t have no say-so in that. I just held the cards of where I end [up] playing at. They decided to get me out.”

• Seahawks first-round DE L.J. Collier returned to practice Monday after missing time with a high-ankle sprain this preseason, though it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Week 1. (Bob Condotta)
• Seattle could bring back CB DeShawn Shead later in the year if they need depth in the secondary. (Condotta)
• The strong play of backup linebackers Shaquem Griffin and Ben Burr-Kirven helped Seattle feel comfortable releasing LB Austin Calitro. (Condotta)
• The Seahawks hosted G Joshua Garnett, S Ryan Neal and G Kahlil McKenzie for workouts. (Howard Balzer)