2024 Roster Review: Starting Linebackers – Part 13 of 17. Click here to view all articles in this series.
For the first four games of the 2023 season, the linebacker room was as rock solid as any in the NFL.
Then came Trent Williams' dirty play in a Week 5 loss to the 49ers.
The offensive lineman shoved Leighton Vander Esch head first into the path of Micah Parsons. The collision sent Vander Esch to the turf and then out of the game.
He never played another down in 2023.
He may never play another down of professional football again.
The unnecessary act in a game that was already decided impacted the Dallas defense for the rest of the year. Without Vander Esch, Dallas' run defense suffered badly.
Replacing Vander Esch – who hasn't officially retired but his return seems unlikely – is a high priority this spring.
For now, here's how the starters fared in 2023 and what lies ahead for them in 2024.
Leighton Vander Esch
A recurring neck issue is not something to take lightly. Vander Esch has six NFL seasons under his belt and can still walk.
Another hit to the neck like the one he took in the San Francisco game and he may not be able to do that.
The smart move – and one he'll likely make soon – is to call it a career.
In nearly five games, he collected 30 tackles and recovered a fumble for an 11-yard touchdown return in 2023.
It was the first year since his rookie season in 2018 that he failed to record at least one sack. But he also played the fewest number of games in a season in his career last year.
If he does retire he will go out with 469 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 71 games. He had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and forced three fumbles.
It may have been a short run, but he made the most of it.
We wish him a long, full life ahead.
Micah Parsons
Parsons finished the 2023 season with 64 tackles and 14 sacks. He added 33 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended.
And he did it despite not drawing a single holding for several consecutive games.
It will be interesting to see what Parsons does in Mike Zimmer's defense. Will he be more of a pure outside linebacker in 2024?
It might aid in his overall play in 2024 — and maybe spend less time on podcasts too.
Just a thought Micah, just a thought.
Damone Clark
Clark blossomed in his second season in Dallas after a college career at LSU.
The former Tigers' standout recorded 109 tackles with four tackles for a loss and three quarterback hits in 2023. He defended three passes and recovered a fumble as well.
He started in all 17 games and was solid overall for the season.
All signs point to Clark retaining his starting role in 2024. The good news is that he is signed all the way through the end of the 2025 season.
Markquese Bell
When Vander Esch went down – especially with the preseason injury to linebacker DeMarvion Overshown — it scrambled Dan Quinn's defense.
He was forced to use safeties as undersized linebackers. This further exasperated the glaring issue the Cowboys' defense had in slowing down the run.
But Bell did step up as best as could have been hoped for in 2023.
He finished with 94 tackles, three for a loss. He added four defended passes and forced two fumbles during the year.
Ideally, he would move back to safety in 2024 – especially if Overshown can return from his knee injury. But it's nice to know he could step in at linebacker when needed.
Bell is signed through the 2024 season and becomes a restricted free agent in 2025.
The Starters In 2024
Parsons, certainly. Clark, definitely.
After that? If Zimmer is going to go with a more conventional 3-4 look and Overshown is healthy, then Dallas needs only sign or draft a strong middle linebacker to replace Vander Esch.
It is a storyline that will bear close observation in the weeks ahead.
