- The Washington Times - Monday, October 3, 2022

Landon Collins has been a free agent since the Washington Commanders released him in March. But the veteran safety is finally generating some interest — from another team he knows well.

Collins, 28, will reportedly visit the New York Giants on Monday, setting the stage for a possible reunion if his former club does indeed sign him to a contract.

The 2015 second-rounder spent four seasons with New York, where he, frankly, played the best football of his career.

Collins made three Pro Bowls in that span and was rewarded with a six-year, $84 million from Washington when he hit free agency in 2019.

Collins’ time with Washington, however, did not go as planned.

The team went just 3-13 in his first year, and the safety underwhelmed with just one sack and zero interceptions.

In 2020, Collins’ season was cut short after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 7.

Last season was arguably Collins’ most productive with Washington.

After a slow start, Washington moved Collins into a hybrid linebacker-safety role that seemed to take advantage of Collins’ skill set. While Collins was vocal about wanting to be solely a safety — his idol was the late Sean Taylor — the three-time Pro Bowler thrived and finished with 85 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.

His season was cut short by a foot injury.

Despite the bounce-back season, the Commanders waived Collins as a post-June 1 cut to clear $11.9 million in cap space.

The team moved on after the two sides couldn’t agree upon a contract restructure.

Now, Collins may get a chance to face Washington twice this season — if he lands again with the team that drafted him. ESPN first reported Collins’ visit with the Giants.

• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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