NFL veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch signed a new contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Vander Esch, a former first-round pick, spent the entirety of his career with the Dallas Cowboys.
The #Cowboys are signing back LB Leighton Vander Esch, source said, giving him a 2-year deal worth $11M. They get back one of their top defenders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys, Agree to Contract
2022 marked another season of reliable play for Vander Esch. Starting and playing in 14 games, the linebacker finished the season with 90 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one sack, one tackle-for-loss, and one forced fumble. The Cowboys finished the 2022 season with one of the best defenses in football and made it all the way to the NFC Divisional Round.
Leighton Vander Esch originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the Dallas Cowboys, the Boise State product immediately made an impact. Starting 11 games and appearing in all 16, Vander Esch began his career as one of the best linebackers in the game, recording 140 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, one quarterback hit, two interceptions, and seven passes defended. His play was so impressive that the rookie earned a spot on the Pro Bowl roster and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Unfortunately, Vander Esch was never able to replicate the success of his rookie year. Injuries limited him to just nine games in 2019, and while on the field, the linebacker recorded 72 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one quarterback hit, half a sack, and one forced fumble. 2020 was more of the same, as the Boise State product only appeared in 10 games while recording 60 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Vander Esch finally stayed healthy in 2021, appearing in all 17 games and finished the season with 77 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, and one interception.
Since signing his rookie contract, Leighton Vander Esch has played in 66 career games while making 60 starts. While on the field, the Boise State product has recorded 439 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
