During free agency in 2019, the Washington Football Team poached safety Landon Collins from the rival New York Giants. At the time, the six-year, $84 million deal was the richest for any safety in NFL history.
In 2016, Collins garnered national recognition as he was named an All-Pro by the Associated Press and several other publications. From 2016-18, he was voted to the Pro Bowl in three straight years.
Now, entering his third year with the team, Collins finds himself splitting time with fellow safeties Bobby McCain and Kam Curl. McCain played quite often on Sunday. In fact, he played the most snaps (69) of any Washington safety and played on 85 percent of plays. Curl also accounted for 46 percent of snaps as he was on the field for 37 plays.
Washington signed Collins in March 2019 with hopes that he would solidify the backend of the secondary, but he’s failed to do so. Collins led Washington in tackles with 119 in 2019, but failed to make any impact plays.
In coverage, Collins allowed a 70.1 percent completion percentage when targeted. He also allowed five passing touchdowns that season, in addition to allowing a 114.3 passer rating in coverage.
Landon Collins with a nice read on that stretch play to the right. Cut right through the blocks to help slow the runner down until teammates rallied
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) September 12, 2021
After getting acclimated with a new coaching staff and regime, Landon Collins’ season was cut short in 2020 to a torn Achilles tendon. In seven games, he posted 41 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. Collins was somewhat better in coverage, allowing an 87.9 passer rating, two receiving touchdowns, and a 65 percent completion percentage. He also registered 41 tackles, two sacks, and an interception.
In the offseason, Landon Collins put in the work to expedite his recovery and returned to the team in eight months. In the preseason, he looked fully healthy and showed no ill effects from his injury. Now it’s time for him to live up to expectations.
Is this Landon Collins’ last season in the Burgandy and Gold?
After Collins was removed from the starting lineup, it opened the door for Kam Curl to get more playing time. The Arkansas product performed quite well in Collins’ absence too, as. he played in 16 games and logged 11 starts. Although Curl allowed a 73.6 completion percentage, he only surrendered 380 yards on the season and two touchdowns. He also had a passer rating of 82.3 when targeted. Curl ended 2020 with 63 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and a touchdown.
Kamren Curl picking up where he left off last season #WashingtonFootball
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) September 12, 2021
On Sunday against Los Angeles, Collins played 80 percent of the defensive snaps for Washington, but only recorded two tackles. Those types of continued performances will almost certainly lead to a departure from the Football team in 2022. Against New York, Landon Collins should be motivated to play against his former team. In three prior games against the Giants, Collins has struggled to make an impact.
Despite playing 100 percent of defensive snaps in each contest, Landon Collins only registered 20 tackles and one pass defended. Although Collins has yet to have a signature game with Washington, he’ll have another opportunity on Thursday night to produce one. Regardless of how the season plays out, it appears almost certain that 2021 will be the last year for Landon Collins in Washington.