East Rutherford, NJ – Diversity veteran Landon Collins is returning to the New York Giants, sources confirmed to ESPN Thursday.
Collins was signed to the team’s coaching staff to start, with the expectation that he could be used in a variety of roles in aggressive defense for coordinator Wink Martindale.
The Giants’ second-round selection in 2015 played the role of safety and, in recent years, the quarterback. He spent the previous three seasons in Washington.
Collins’ career started off promisingly for the Giants. He placed third in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year vote in the 2016 season, when he had 125 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 5 interceptions, including one returned for touchdowns the last time New York played in London.
The Giants (3-1) return to London this week and play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
A source confirmed to ESPN that Collins is expected to meet the Giants overseas.
NFL reporter Josina Anderson first reported that Collins and the Giants were finalizing a deal.
New York has now added veteran midfielders Jaylon SmithAnd the ajklein And Collins’ coaching team in recent weeks. Smith was raised to the active roster for Sunday’s 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears and included six tackles.
Klein is expected to be signed to the Baltimore Ravens roster Thursday, a source told ESPN Jeremy Fowler, and Collins will take his place.
Collins was a free agent after being unable to agree a restructured contract with the leaders in the off-season.
Washington Collins signed a six-year, $84 million contract in the 2019 season after four seasons with the Giants. He had three years left on his contract at the time of his release. Washington changed the role of Collins early last season, using him in a safety/backfield hybrid. This change coincided with the improvement of the commanders’ defense performance. He finished last season with 81 ball cuts, 2 interceptions, and 3 sacks.
Injuries have disrupted his last two seasons with Washington. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in the seventh week of 2020, and missed four games due to injuries last season. He has been placed in injured reserve for the last three games due to a foot injury.
Collins, who turned 28 in January, made three Pro Bowls with the Giants and was his first All-Pro team in 2016. He didn’t make a Pro Bowl with Washington.
In seven seasons, Collins has 11 interceptions, 10 sacks, 676 tackles, and 7 forced tackles.
ESPN’s John Kim contributed to this report.