Cowboys Projected to Move on From Ex-Pro Bowler in 2024

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys may decide to let go of a long-time veteran in order to free up salary cap room.

According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, Leighton Vander Esch, a Cowboys member since he was drafted in 2018, may be a cap casualty this offseason. Vander Esch is the second player on Knox’s list of three Cowboys players who could lose their contracts due to cap violations.

Despite having a $4.4 million cap charge this season, Vander Esch has struggled with neck issues on several occasions throughout his career.

To make matters worse, he concluded his season on injured reserve after sustaining another neck injury after playing in five games.

“Vander Esch landed on injured reserve with a neck injury after only appearing in five games,” writes Knox. “Though he’s still relatively young, Vander Esch simply isn’t the same productive and dependable player at 27 that he was as a rookie Pro Bowler in 2018. Releasing Vander Esch outright at or before the start of free agency would trigger a dead-cap hit of $2.3 million while clearing $2.5 million from the 2023 books.”

Cowboys Could Move on Due to History of Neck Injuries

The 27-year-old linebacker has started every game since his debut year in 2018, when his outstanding play earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl.During his debut season, Vander Esch recorded 140 tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions – figures he hasn’t yet matched.

He also ranked second in solo tackles (102) and third in combined tackles.

Although Vander Esch experienced a difficult period in his play soon after his rookie season (the Cowboys declined his rookie contract’s fifth-year option in 2021), he recovered with successful seasons in 2021 and 2022, and the Cowboys decided to re-sign him after each of those seasons.

The issue is his durability and history of neck injuries. Vander Esch has suffered neck injuries that has ended his season prematurely in four of his six years in NFL

Jerry Jones Expresses Concern Over Leighton Vander Esch’s Injury

Team owner Jerry Jones expressed concern in Vander Esch’s career moving forward due to his lengthy history of neck injuries.

“He’s an integral part of that defense out there,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas back in November.

“We just wish him well, and just the nature of his potential injury here causes me to really think longer term and beyond what that means for next week or beyond what it means for next month. It has everything to do with what’s in his best interest.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Vander Esch posted a 65.5 defensive grade this season prior to his injury. His replacement, Markquese Bell, posted a far better grade at 79.9.

Bell, a former undrafted free agent who recently finished his second season, will play for less than $1 million the following year. After Vander Esch’s injury, he started all 12 games at middle linebacker and recorded 94 tackles, good for second on the team.

This offseason, severing connections with important veterans is a necessary step as the Cowboys look to free up cash for possible contract extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Given that Bell performed brilliantly in Vander Esch’s absence and that his career is in jeopardy, it might be the end of the former’s in Dallas.

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