The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from former Pro Bowl First-Rounder from the 2018 NFL Draft class, Leighton Vander-Esch. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the team informed Vander-Esch that he would be released with a failed physical designation. The Boise State product was starting out his career with the team, playing 16 games as a rookie and being named second-team All-Pro. He also recorded 140 tackles that year and two interceptions, but injuries were slowly creeping to prevent him from ever being the same player he was.
Vander-Esch played a combined 19 games over the 2019 and 2020 seasons, with a full season in 2021. During a week against the San Francisco 49ers, Trent Williams blocked Vander-Esch into Micah Parsons, causing a significant injury that now jeopardizes his career. There have been speculations all this offseason if he will retire completely from the league. Throughout his career, he’s racked up 469 tackles, 13 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
The Dallas Cowboys will now save $2.2 million against their salary cap while incurring another $2.2 million in dead money. They have quiet all free agency up until they signed Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal, which would be the first sign that Vander-Esch is done. His neck injuries have been following him since 2016 in college after suffering a pinched nerve in his neck.
The Cowboys knew they were taking a gamble on Vander-Esch when they drafted him in the first round of 2018. It was a matter of time before injuries were once again biting Dallas in the end. It’s still a tough blow for Dallas despite signing Kendricks as a replacement for Vander-Esch.
The Cowboys have also released LB Leighton Vander Esch, per @jonmachota pic.twitter.com/8UYEpHvLxB
— PFF (@PFF) March 15, 2024
Dallas Cowboys Moving on From Former Pro Bowl First-Rounder Leighton Vander-Esch
His Retirement Is Looming
It’s hard to imagine that Vander-Esch will ever play another down in the league. He was a disruptive defender for many teams that helped create the “doomsday defense” that the Cowboys were. However, his injuries are leading to a huge speculation that his retirement could be coming at any moment. Interestingly, the team hasn’t said much on this potential announcement and it shows when he attempted a physical to return to them.
It seems like Vander-Esch is trying to find a way back on the field, but that’s unlikely for it to happen. There are now more questions at the moment than answers if he will indeed return to the field. However, the news of his release could move him towards deciding on his future. He probably won’t retire a Cowboy unless the team brings him back on a one-day deal that ensures that he retires with the team.
The timing of his release still might be tough to unfold as the Cowboys are clearing up their salary cap. However, they’re probably giving Vander-Esch time to sort things out with the doctors and his family. There’s no chance that he will return to the field playing for another team, it would be a shocker if that happens.
Expectations for Eric Kendricks
Signing Kendricks in the first place was a signal that Vander-Esch’s days were closing. It sent some delightful shockwave to some fans hoping the team was going to make a move in free agency. Kendricks will take Vander-Esch’s spot while he brings some unique experience to the roster. The chemistry between Kendricks and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer could make a valuable transition to a new scheme.
Kendricks started 14 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, posting 117 total tackles with seven tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits.
