PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 08: Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after intercepting a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The current Cowboys roster is one of the best in history, with high expectations for 2018. They recently acquired Leighton Vander Esch to help bolster their linebacker corps and hopefully make a run at Super Bowl LIII. However, there have been some rumors that he will be replaced by a former Bronco soon after this season concludes.
The “Leighton Vander Esch Replaced in 2022?” is a question that has been asked for quite some time. The Cowboys have not yet made an official statement about the matter, but many fans believe that he will be replaced by someone else in 2022. Read more in detail here: is vander esch still with the cowboys.
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, via Getty
Leighton Vander Esch has gone from a building block to the weakest link on the Dallas Cowboys defense in only a few (injury-plagued) seasons. From 2021 to 2022, employees will be gradually phased out of the company.
According to Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, the veteran linebacker will be the one starter Dallas must replace next year, following in the footsteps of former colleague Jaylon Smith.
Sobleski stated, “Leighton Vander Esch is likely the next to leave,” noting Smith’s dismissal from the Cowboys in October. “As a rookie, the 2018 first-round selection looked like a future star, racking up 140 total tackles and earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
“A nerve problem in the linebacker’s neck necessitated surgery. Whether due to the injury or not, Vander Esch hasn’t been the same performer since. He’s still a good first-round pick. He’s just no longer one of the league’s finest young linebackers. Furthermore, the 25-year-old defender will be a free agency at the conclusion of the season.”
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Probable Replacement for LVE
Micah Parsons, a shoo-in for Defensive Rookie of the Year and a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year, leads the Cowboys’ linebacking corps. Inside linebacker Parsons is flanked by ex-Falcon Keanu Neal, who has aided the club in defending running backs and tight ends.
Then there’s Vander Esch, who has 35 solo tackles and one sack in 467 defensive plays under Dan Quinn, and has mostly been confined to an early-down contributor. When he’s outmatched by the opponent, he reveals his former LVE talent. The Cowboys hedged against Vander Esch’s departure by drafting ILB Jabril Cox in the fourth round, a player whose star was rising prior to a ruptured ACL that ended his rookie season.
According to logic, Dallas will re-sign one of Vander Esch or Neal — both upcoming unrestricted free agents — and give Cox first dibs at a starting position in 2022, health permitting.
“The Cowboys would be better off re-signing Keanu Neal this summer and having Jabril Cox take over as the starter when he recovers from a torn ACL, while allowing Micah Parsons to roam as a hybrid linebacker/edge defender,” Sobleski said.
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Arians’ Attempts to Put a Stop to Parsons’ Controversy
Parsons, the No. 12 overall pick in last April’s draft, has racked up 27 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections while grading out as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated LB out of 83 qualifiers.
Parsons has earned high praise, with parallels ranging from Cowboys franchise star DeMarcus Ware, whose rookie sack record was broken by Parsons, to Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor, probably the finest linebacker to ever do it.
Bruce Arians was clearly offended by the latter comparison. And during a recent interview on the Dan Patrick Show, the veteran Buccaneers coach slammed the brakes on Parsons’ sky-high stock.
“He’s gotten off to a great start in his career. “Slow down a little bit when you’re talking about the finest defensive player in the history of this league,” Arians remarked, according to Andrew Perloff of the Dan Patrick Show.
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The “how many tackles did leighton vander esch have today” is a rumor that the Dallas Cowboys might replace Leighton Vander Esch in 2022. The Cowboys are not commenting on the rumors and there is no confirmation yet.
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