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Trending: Dallas makes harsh decision as key player leaves club.
The Dallas Cowboys have made a decision on the future of Leighton Vander Esch with the team.
The Dallas Cowboys have been relatively quiet during the offseason. They haven’t made any splash signings or dished out any mega-deals. The only move they have made thus far was signing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Aside from that, Dallas hasn’t done much. It was reported that LB Leighton Vander Esch is going to retire in the next couple of weeks due to ongoing neck injuries.
Unfortunately for him, he won’t be retiring a Cowboy if he does make that decision. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Dallas is releasing Vander Esch with a failed physical designation.
Cowboys News: Leighton Vander Esch Is Going to Be Released
Vander Esch has been dealing with neck injuries since he was in college. Those same problems have followed Vander Esch into the NFL. Last season, he missed 12 games after suffering yet another neck injury against the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s a pinched nerve in his neck that gives him trouble and there might not be a real resolution for him.
When healthy, the 28-year-old is a very effective defender on the second level. Vander Esch has great closing speed and has superb instincts.
In his six-year tenure with the Cowboys, he amassed 469 total stops, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
The timing of this release is tough. It’s sad to see a one time fan favorite cast aside during a very difficult moment in his career. But at the end of the day, the Cowboys simply don’t have enough salary cap space to be keeping players under contract out of the goodness of their hearts.
Despite parting ways with Vander Esch the Cowboys own one of the best rosters in the league and have a real shot of reaching Super Bowl LIX. They currently have the seventh-best odds in the NFL to win the whole thing at +1700. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook, claim your sign-up bonus, and take advantage of these odds to back the Cowboys.
More on Dallas..
3 Underrated Free Agents Cowboys Can Sign to Replace Tyron Smith.
The free agency frenzy has died down but there are still solid options available at offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the least active teams in free agency so far, leaving their fans disappointed and underwhelmed. This has been even more surprising considering Jerry Jones’ promise to go all-in for next season.
Instead, the Cowboys are losing key starters. The longest-tenured Cowboy on the roster and one of the best offensive linemen in the league, Tyron Smith signed with the New York Jets, on a contract that the Cowboys could have easily matched.
Smith was obviously the best free-agent tackle on the market, so the Cowboys can’t find someone as good as him. However, there are still a few underrated options currently available. Dallas can’t afford to lose any more time before signing one. Here is the shortlist.
Cam Fleming
Maybe the best way to replace a starter is to bring back their backup. Fleming was the backup to Tyron Smith for two seasons in 2018 and 2019 and started in six games in Smith’s absence. He performed admirably whenever his number was called before signing with the New York Giants to reunite with Jason Garrett.
Fleming spent the last three seasons with the Denver Broncos, starting in 20 games. Now a free agent at age 31, it might be a good time for Fleming to come back to Dallas.
According to PFF, Fleming got a 71.3 pass block grade, despite receiving a career-low 44.8 grade in run blocking. He is certainly not at Smith’s level, but his experience and familiarity with the organization make him a worthy, low-cost addition.
