3:25 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2024
Blogging The Boys Mar 24, 2024
Cowboys aren't far from stabilizing the linebacker position

Cowboys aren't far from stabilizing the linebacker position

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports What do you think the Cowboys linebacker position will look like in 2024? One of the big question marks for the Dallas Cowboys once the offseason began was what direction they were going to go to bolster their linebacker room. When veteran Leighton Vander Esch was released and forced to retire due to neck issues, it became even more paramount to figure things out at the position. Under Dan Quinn in 2023, the Cowboys experimented with Markquese Bell playing linebacker. He made plays, that's undeniable, but he also got exposed for his lack...
Blogging The Boys Mar 23, 2024
Cowboys draft 2024: 3 late-round LB draft options that Dallas could target

Cowboys draft 2024: 3 late-round LB draft options that Dallas could target

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Cowboys could look for LB depth in the late rounds of the draft. Stopping the run is a top focus area for the Dallas Cowboys defense entering 2024 and the linebacker room will play a major role in ensuring that there is improvement. In anticipation of Leighton Vander Esch officially retiring from the NFL, the Cowboys added their only outside free agent signing, LB Eric Kendricks. The experienced veteran baton has now been passed from Vander Esch to Kendricks to help mentor the other young LBs, including Damone Clark and DeMarvion...
Hogs Haven Mar 23, 2024
Could Payton Wilson be groomed as Bobby Wagner’s successor?

Could Payton Wilson be groomed as Bobby Wagner’s successor?

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders Payton Wilson, LBSchool: NC State | Conference: ACCCollege Experience: Senior | Age: 23Height / Weight: 6’4” / 233 lbsProjected Draft Status: Rounds 2-3 Player Comp: Leighton Vander Esch College Statistics Defense & Fumbles Table Tackles Def Int Fumbles Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo ...
FOX Sports Mar 19, 2024
Former Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch medically retires following release | Undisputed

Former Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch medically retires following release | Undisputed

Skip Bayless and Keyshawn Johnson react to linebacker Leighton Vander Esch medically retiring due to injuries following his release from the Dallas Cowboys.
Blogging The Boys Mar 19, 2024
Leighton Vander Esch’s early retirement continues unfortunate pattern with Cowboys LBs

Leighton Vander Esch’s early retirement continues unfortunate pattern with Cowboys LBs

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/ All the best to Leighton Vander Esch in life after football. Leighton Vander Esch has retired from football at just 28 years old. This untimely end to his playing career can’t help but make Cowboys fans think of Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and other linebackers who saw their time cut short, or at least significantly hampered, by medical issues. It’s an unfortunate reality of the game but with an excessive degree of occurrence in Dallas. Though he was already released last week to get a jump on the salary cap space, Vander Esch’s...
Blogging The Boys Mar 19, 2024
Cowboys news: Leighton Vander Esch says goodbye; Rico Dowdle returns

Cowboys news: Leighton Vander Esch says goodbye; Rico Dowdle returns

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports The latest Dallas Cowboys offseason news. LVE pens emotional retirement letter to Cowboys - Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com Leighton Vander Esch played all six of his NFL seasons with the Cowboys as their 2018 first-round pick. Vander Esch, lovingly dubbed “Wolf Hunter” by the Cowboys’ fandom who enjoyed letting out the occasional howl whenever the former Boise State linebacker would make a highlight play, penned a heartfelt letter to the team, fans and the league that gave him a chance in 2018. It’s one that’s been months in...
FOX Sports Mar 18, 2024
Former Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announces retirement

Former Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announces retirement

Former Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement from the NFL.
Blogging The Boys Mar 18, 2024
Leighton Vander Esch retiring from football after six seasons with Dallas Cowboys

Leighton Vander Esch retiring from football after six seasons with Dallas Cowboys

Photo by Ryan Kang/ The Wolf Hunter is officially calling it a career. Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is retiring from professional football. JUST IN: Former Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch has medically retired.“I love the game of football so much, and my body won’t cooperate any longer. I cherished every moment of my NFL career, and it has been such a blessing to play the game for as long as I have played.”55 pic.twitter.com/TMTfgZPeuC— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) March 18, 2024 Last Friday the Cowboys released the former...
Blogging The Boys Mar 16, 2024
Cowboys news: Tyron Smith to sign with Jets; Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch released

Cowboys news: Tyron Smith to sign with Jets; Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch released

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports The latest Cowboys news is here. Sources: Ex-Cowboys OT Tyron Smith signing 1-year deal with Jets - Rich Cimini, ESPN Tyron Smith officially ends his 13-year stint with the Cowboys. Securing a giant piece in their offensive-line overhaul, the New York Jets agreed to terms Friday night with former Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith will sign a one-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million with incentives, according to a source. The base value wasn’t immediately...
FOX Sports Mar 15, 2024
Cowboys reportedly release WR Michael Gallup, LB Leighton Vander Esch

Cowboys reportedly release WR Michael Gallup, LB Leighton Vander Esch

Dallas is releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, saving millions in salary cap space.
Blogging The Boys Mar 15, 2024
Dallas Cowboys release linebacker Leighton Vander Esch with failed physical designation

Dallas Cowboys release linebacker Leighton Vander Esch with failed physical designation

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/ The Cowboys have officially said goodbye to their 2018 first-round pick, Leighton Vander Esch. The first week of free agency is wrapping up and the Dallas Cowboys are taking care of a few things before working hours officially end. On Friday afternoon news broke that they were releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup (he has been given a post-June 1st designation) and in the immediate seconds after it was also reported that the team was releasing Leighton Vander Esch. The Cowboys have informed LB Leighton Vander Esch he will be released, per...
Blogging The Boys Mar 14, 2024
Cowboys sign LB Eric Kendricks; could be a sign for Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement

Cowboys sign LB Eric Kendricks; could be a sign for Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/ The Cowboys have a new answer at linebacker. The signing of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks sent a delightful shockwave through a desperate Dallas Cowboys fanbase on Wednesday night. But while Kendricks brings some unique experience to the group, he also seems to fill the same space on the roster as Leighton Vander Esch. This move would seem to validate, at least partially, previous rumors that Vander Esch won’t be with Dallas next season due to his ongoing neck issues. After two relatively healthy seasons from 2021-2022, Vander Esch’s...

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Leighton Vander Esch Photos