Landon Collins to Be Released by Commanders After 3 Seasons with Team

The Washington Commanders are set to release safety Landon Collins on Thursday after failing to reach terms on a restructured contract. 

"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," Collins told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.

Collins was set to earn an $11.5 million base salary in 2022 as part of the six-year, $84 million deal he signed in Washington ahead of the 2019 season.

The Commanders agreed to acquire Wentz—and his $28.3 million cap hit—in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday. Washington now has only $8.7 million in cap space and will need to make significant moves to be players in free agency and sign draft picks.

Cutting Collins will save Washington $6.5 million on its 2022 cap.

Collins has missed 13 games over the past two seasons because of injuries. He finished the 2021 campaign with 81 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks while starting in 13 games. Pro Football Focus gave him a mediocre 54.7 overall grade, which is not exactly a ringing endorsement of him making eight figures per season.

Collins may have to take a short-term, prove-it contract to show he can still play at a Pro Bowl caliber after not being selected in any of his three seasons in Washington.