Jerry Jones and Jake Ferguson react as Leighton Vander Esch announces NFL retirement

Add as preferred source on Google

The 19th-overall pick in the 2018 Draft has been forced to quit the NFL due to medical reasons.

Last week, the Dallas Cowboys waived linebacker Leighton Vander Esch due to a failed physical designation.

On Monday, the player announced that he is retiring after six seasons in the NFL. The news was reported by the Cowboys’ insider Todd Archer.

Vander Esch spent most of the 2023 season on injured reserve due to a neck injury.

This particular injury has always been a problem throughout his career, even before he entered the professional league.

The first time his neck was a hindrance to his performance was during his college days at Boise State.

In the NFL, in his second year, neck problems once again disrupted his career. He had to have surgery and missed the entire season from the very beginning.

The only season in which the linebacker was really healthy was 2021, the year that Micah Parsons joined the team and took Jaylon Smith’s place on the roster.

Dallas turned down the fifth-year option on his rookie contract and decided to sign him to a one-year deal in 2022. Unfortunately, he suffered another neck injury during that season and missed four games.

The final straw came last year, when the 28-year-old was forced to drop out for around 70% of the season due to his neck problems – more specifically, a cervical spinal stenosis.

His decision leaves the Cowboys no longer with a player from the 2018 draft class on their current roster.

Emotional tributes to Vander Esch

In his rookie year, Vander Esch was named to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro. If it hadn’t been for injuries, he would have had a series of great achievements ahead of him.

LVE made a post on his Instagram thanking the team, his teammates, the fans and the entire organization.

“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.”

Owner Jerry Jones showed his respect and admiration for the linebacker.

“He was a leader and the kind of teammate that impacted those around him in the best ways. Leighton’s playing career may have come to an end, but his future is very bright. On behalf of the entire Dallas Cowboys organization, we’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet.”

“His passion and love for the game was contagious, and from the moment he arrived, he has been a difference maker. His grit, toughness, motivation, determination and football IQ will be sorely missed.”

Tight end Jake Ferguson responded to his teammate’s post with love and sense of humor: “Wolf Hunter. My ride or die. Loved the time we had in between the lines. Even if you did mess me up the major of the time. Love brother.”

Vander Esch has broken a record in Dallas. He was the only rookie with the most tackles in a single season, with 176 combined tackles. In six years, he recorded 469 tackles, 13 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.