Leighton Vander Esch
Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch

LB

Status

ACTIVE

Latest Leighton Vander Esch news

Announces retirement from NFL

Vander Esch (neck) announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. Vander Esch, a 2018 first-round pick, earned a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors, but he now retires from the NFL after six seasons after having been released by the Cowboys last week. Injuries disrupted the promising linebacker's career, including the 2023 campaign, in which he missed the final 12 games due to a recurring neck issue. Vander Esch retires with 71 regular-season appearances, 469 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three forced fumbles under his belt and as a forever 'what-if' for Cowboys fans imagining scenarios wherein the Boise State product had managed to stay healthier.

Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch Career Stats  

  • Career Stats - TACKLES

    TOTAL
    AST
    SOLO
    467
    171
    296

    Career Stats - Sacks

    SCK
    SCKYDS
    TFL
    3.5
    23
    0

    Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS

    INT
    PD
    TD
    3
    13
    0

    Career Stats - Fumbles

    FF
    FR
    FTD
    3
    1
    0

    Tackles

    Season Team TOTAL AST SOLO
    2023 DAL 30 13 17
    2022 DAL 90 36 54
    2021 DAL 77 29 48
    2020 DAL 60 28 32
    2019 DAL 72 29 43
    2018 DAL 138 36 102
    Career
    467
    171
    296

    Sacks

    Season Team SCK SCKYDS TFL
    2023 DAL 0 0 0
    2022 DAL 1 4 0
    2021 DAL 1 7 0
    2020 DAL 1 10 0
    2019 DAL 0.5 2 0
    2018 DAL 0 0 0
    Career
    3.5
    23
    0

    Interceptions

    Season Team INT PD TD
    2023 DAL 0 0 0
    2022 DAL 0 1 0
    2021 DAL 1 2 0
    2020 DAL 0 0 0
    2019 DAL 0 3 0
    2018 DAL 2 7 0
    Career
    3
    13
    0

    Defense Fumbles

    Season Team FF FR FTD
    2023 DAL 0 1 0
    2022 DAL 1 0 0
    2021 DAL 0 0 0
    2020 DAL 1 0 0
    2019 DAL 1 0 0
    2018 DAL 0 0 0
    Career
    3
    1
    0
Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch Player Profile  

Birthdate 2/8/1996 (28)
Status Retired
HT/WT 6'4", 256 lbs
Draft Info 2018: Rd 1; Pk (DAL)
Birthplace Riggins, ID, USA
Position LB
College Boise State
Experience 6 seasons

Career History

Dallas Cowboys 2018-2024 (6 seasons)
Leighton Vander Esch

Leighton Vander Esch Fantasy Projections  

Check back soon for fresh projections!