L.J. Collier's 2023 season ended before it really had the opportunity to begin. In the season opener against the Commanders, the defensive lineman tore his bicep and was out for the year.
Only under contract for the one season, Collier called coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis right before he went into surgery.
"I told them I want to be back here," Collier said. "There was a lot of unfinished business and I felt had I not gotten hurt, I would've signed something for two or three years here."
The coaching staff told the 2019 first-round pick that they would try to make it happen. In early March, it became official. Collier re-signed with the Cardinals on another one-year deal.
The chance to showcase his skills in a new system was cut short due to the injury, and while frustration was certainly present, motivation was not far behind for Collier.
"A lot of people seem to forget about you and seem to forget what you can do, and all I want to do is prove to myself that I know what I could do and know what I was going to do last year," Collier said. "I was a starter on everything last year and then just to come back, it means a lot to me."
The affirmation and reassurance received from Gannon and Rallis was instrumental throughout Collier's rehab process, and its impact on the 6-foot-2, 291-pound lineman has been evident during camp.
"Year One to Year Two, you can see a huge difference in his comfort within what we're doing," Rallis said. "After Week One, you haven't seen him play, so it's like, 'Gosh, where is he at with things?' Then, all of the sudden, he comes back, and he looks the best he's ever looked."
Although he wasn't on the field, Collier was in the facility during the season. The familiarity with the staff has made a monumental difference for Collier. "We didn't know who we were last year, but we got our identity already and we know the type of defense we want," he said.
What that defense looks like is a versatile unit that has no issues getting to the quarterback and creates disruption along the trenches. That's why general manager Monti Ossenfort heavily focused on the defensive line during the offseason.
The acquisitions of Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, Khyiris Tonga, and Darius Robinson, highlighted just how important upgrading the defensive line room was for the team. Midway through camp, Collier's remained in the mix to earn reps along the defensive line. When Jones has missed practice time, Collier has run with the first unit along with Nichols and Roy Lopez.
"Consistency comes to my mind," Gannon said. "This guy is a souped-up, strong, explosive cat. That's what I want to keep seeing from him."
Gannon felt convicted bring Collier back to the Cardinals because "I thought he was going to be a really good player for us." As training camp continues to roll along, Collier gets to handle the unfinished business he hoped to settle last year.
"This is the place I want to be, but this is a competitive room and a completely different room," Collier said. "If we go out there every day, no selfishness and hold ourselves accountable, we're going to go far. I feel like we could make a deep run in the playoffs."
