Final Friday, the Dallas Cowboys launched LB Leighton Vander Esch after six seasons. The 28-year-old was the nineteenth total choose by the Cowboys within the 2018 NFL Draft. Accidents drastically modified his profession trajectory and he’s by no means been the identical. In 2023, Vander Esch performed in simply 5 video games for the Cowboys.
ESPN’s Todd Archer was the primary to report that Leighton Vander Esch introduced his retirement at the moment. The previous Cowboys linebacker is looking it a profession after some severe neck accidents. On Friday, he was launched by Dallas. At this time, he introduced his retirement from the NFL. Now, Vander Esch strikes on to the subsequent chapter in his life.
After six seasons, Leighton Vander Esch is retiring from the NFL
Leighton Vander Esch is asserting his retirement at the moment after a six-year profession with the Cowboys. A neck harm final season pressured him into the choice. Final week the Cowboys launched him.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 18, 2024
Sadly, the best season Leighton Vander Esch had within the NFL was his rookie season. The previous first-round choose had 140 mixed tackles. 102 of them solo tackles. Moreover, he had two interceptions and 7 cross deflections in his rookie marketing campaign. That earned Vander Esch his first Professional Bowl choice. On high of that, he was named second-team All-Professional as a rookie. It regarded just like the Cowboys had discovered their subsequent star LB.
Nonetheless, neck points in his second season induced his yr to be lower brief. In 2019, Vander Esch performed in simply 9 video games. He needed to endure corrective surgical procedure on his neck. Vander Esch performed 10 video games in 2020 and suffered a damaged collarbone. Fortunately, 2021 was a wholesome season for Vander Esch, enjoying in all 17 video games for Dallas. Throughout his 2022 marketing campaign, the previous first-round choose performed in 14 of their 17 video games. He missed three on account of a neck stinger.
#Cowboys beginning LB Leighton Vander Esch is medically retiring from soccer after a six-year profession. With 557 tackles in 71 video games, Vander Esch was a Professional Bowler earlier than a neck harm ended his profession.
Proprietor Jerry Jones stated, “We’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet.” pic.twitter.com/q5t6lHn8cf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2024
In 2023, Vander Esch performed simply 5 video games for the Dallas Cowboys. A lingering neck challenge induced him to overlook time. Somewhat than sacrifice his well being, the previous Cowboys LB is looking it a profession. He ended up enjoying in 71 video games for the Cowboys over six seasons and made 65 begins. Dallas had bigger intentions for Vander Esch however accidents derailed his profession. Linebacker is a place the Cowboys want to deal with this offseason.
