This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys may decide to let go of a seasoned player in order to free up salary contract room.
According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, Leighton Vander Esch, who has been a member of the Cowboys 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, his season ended when, after five games, he sustained another neck injury that put him on injured reserve.
After only five games, Vander Esch had a neck injury and was placed on injured reserve, according to Knox. “At 27, Vander Esch isn’t the same reliable and productive player he was as a rookie Pro Bowl player in 2018, despite his youth. A $2.3 million dead-cap hit would result from releasing Vander Esch unconditionally at or before the start of free agency, freeing up $2.5 million from the 2023 books.
Cowboys Could Move on Due to History of Neck Injurie
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.
His durability and history of neck issues are the problem. In four of his six years in the NFL, Vander Esch has experienced neck problems that have caused his season to end early.
Jerry Jones Shares Worries About Leighton Vander Esch’s Illness
Given Vander Esch’s extensive history of neck problems, team owner Jerry Jones voiced concerns about the player’s future professional prospects.
“He’s a crucial component of that defensive unit,” Jones stated in November on Dallas’s 105.3 The Fan. We simply want him well, and given the nature of his possible injury, I find myself thinking far further forward than what that would entail for the upcoming week or month. Everything about it revolves around what’s best for him.
Before his injury, Vander Esch’s defensive grade for this season was 65.5, according to Pro Football Focus. Markquese Bell, who took his position, received a far higher mark of 79.9.
Bell, a recent undrafted free agent, is playing for less than $1 million in the upcoming 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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