Dallas Cowboys’ 28-year-old linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is likely retiring from the NFL due to a neck injury sustained against the 49ers last season. He was placed on injured reserve on October 16, 2023, and confirmed to miss the rest of the 2023-2024 NFL season by Jerry Jones on November 14, 2023.
Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch is retiring from the NFL
pic.twitter.com/vhaJrVN4QJ— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) March 18, 2024
This wasn’t Vander Esch’s first neck injury. He underwent disc fusion surgery in 2019 after missing the final part of the season due to a neck injury. Vander Esch also suffered a broken collarbone in 2020.
Leighton Vander Esch was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys as the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He had an impressive rookie season with a record of 140 tackles, two interceptions, and seven deflections.
Leighton Vander Escha’s Contract Details
In the 2018-2021 period, Leighton Vander Escha signed a rookie deal worth $11,847,781 for four years, with a signing bonus of $6,696,568 and total guarantees of $11,847,781.
Following this, in the 2022 season, he inked a one-year contract worth $2,000,000, featuring a $500,000 signing bonus and $1,750,000 guaranteed.
In the subsequent 2023-2024 term, Vander Esch secured a two-year contract valued at $8,000,000, comprising a $2,500,000 signing bonus, $5,000,000 guaranteed at signing, and an average annual salary of $4,000,000.
