Leighton Vander Esch Tag Archives

Do the Dallas Cowboys Have a Sean Lee Backup Plan?

The Dallas Cowboys All-What-If Team

This is the Cowboys team that bothered me, not because these players could not play, but the what-ifs. All these players could play and some were great. A few of these guys,…

June 26, 2026, 8:00 am

Jerry Jones stands in front of Cowboys branding, symbolizing Dallas’ aggressive spending approach and the gamble behind roster-building decisions.

Players & Cap

by Cody Warren

The Cowboys Aren’t Cheap—Their Spending Problem Is Worse

The Dallas Cowboys spending problem gets talked about every offseason, but I think fans sometimes frame it the wrong way. Dallas gets called cheap all the time, and I understand why. When…

June 14, 2026, 6:00 am

Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker, Jake Golday, in a white No. 11 uniform runs forward with arms extended during a daytime college football game.

NFL Draft

by Cody Warren

The Linebacker Archetype the Cowboys Have Missed Since 2024

Every time a linebacker comes up with the Dallas Cowboys, the conversation immediately turns to speed, upside, and highlight plays. And why wouldn’t it? Doesn’t everyone want that type of player roaming…

January 20, 2026, 8:00 am

Cowboys linebacker room looks bleak for 2025 1

Players & Cap

by Richard Paolinelli

The 1 position the Cowboys can’t stay healthy at

The Dallas Cowboys front office is often praised for its ability to draft at one position: the offensive line. History seems to bear that out, especially in recent years. Here’s a look…

July 22, 2025, 6:00 am

Cowboys

by Richard Paolinelli

Just 1 big question remains in the Best of Cowboys series

As we wrap up the five-part series with the Best Cowboys from U-Z, there really was only one battle to sort out. And that was in the W-players. The U-players only had…

July 8, 2025, 6:00 am

When it comes to recognizing All-Pro talent, Cowboys' Will McClay is a cut above the rest

NFL Draft

by Mario Herrera Jr.

Will McClay’s track record in the 1st round puts him a cut above the rest

Will McClay, the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys, has proven time and again that his eye for talent is second to none. Over the past decade, McClay has…

March 8, 2025, 12:38 pm

Cowboys' offensive line is one unfortunate event from potential disaster

Game Coverage

by Richard Paolinelli

Why today’s game in San Francisco is about more than revenge

Many viewers of this afternoon’s game in San Francisco will think the Dallas Cowboys will be playing for revenge against the 49ers. After all, the 49ers derailed the Cowboys season last year…

October 27, 2024, 6:00 am

NFC East

by Richard Paolinelli

Dallas could have the best, or worst, NFC East LB corps

In yesterday’s post about the Cowboys’ defensive line I offered the option of moving Micah Parsons to a full-time linebacker in 2024. The primary reason for that suggestion is simple. The Cowboys…

June 20, 2024, 7:00 am

Cowboys

by Mario Herrera Jr.

Former Cowboys 1st round pick announces retirement

When an NFL player retires, it’s usually a bittersweet moment. In Leighton Vander Esch’s case, I’m sure he’s trying to make the best of the situation but it’s likely more bitter than…

March 18, 2024, 2:02 pm

Cowboys

by Shane Taylor

Cowboys release Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch on Friday

Those close to the Dallas Cowboys said the team released both Michael Gallup and Leighton Vander Esch on Friday afternoon. Both moves had been suspected since the playoff loss to the Packers.…

March 15, 2024, 3:08 pm

Cowboys

by Richard Paolinelli

A new starter will rise at middle linebacker for Dallas in 2024

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…

March 7, 2024, 11:00 am

Don't rule out Dallas adding veteran help at linebacker

Cowboys

by Mark Heaney

3 ways the Cowboys can improve at linebacker in 2024

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for 2024, improving at linebacker has to be one of the top priorities of the offseason. Linebacker has been a growing need for Dallas for a few…

February 23, 2024, 11:00 am

Cowboys

by Richard Paolinelli

Stocking the Cowboys’ linebacker room is a priority this offseason

While we wait for Dan Quinn to either pack his bags for D.C. or get ready for next year as our defensive coordinator we look at the linebackers. And we aren’t liking…

February 1, 2024, 9:00 am

Cowboys

by Mark Heaney

5 Players The Cowboys Should Move On From In 2024

Last off-season, the Cowboys roster was shaken up when the team released a franchise legend in Ezekiel Elliott. The year before that, they surprisingly cut starting tackle La’el Collins and traded star…

January 26, 2024, 11:00 am

Cowboys

by Mario Herrera Jr.

Cowboys Injury Update: Leighton Vander Esch Out for 2023 Season

The Dallas Cowboys announced some shocking and saddening news regarding one of their long-time players. The team confirmed that sixth-year linebacker and former 2018 first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch will not return…

November 15, 2023, 6:00 am

Cowboys

by Richard Paolinelli

Cowboys’ defense puts up monster Week 4 fantasy numbers

The Dallas defense was poised to be the top-scoring defense in fantasy football again in Week 4. The unit topped the NFL in Week 1. Then the Seattle Seahawks said “Hold my…

October 5, 2023, 6:00 am

NFC East

by Richard Paolinelli

Eagles clinging to slim NFC East lead over Dallas

The NFC East nearly ended the fourth week of the NFL season back in a three-way tie for first place. For now Philadelphia sits alone on top. A rare conservative call by…

October 3, 2023, 6:00 am

Cowboys

by Richard Paolinelli

Cowboys’ defense returns, offense still shaky in red zone — Monday Morning QB

I imagine the mood around The Star in Frisco last week was dark and stormy. The defense played a terrible game against Arizona. The offense moved the ball up and down the…

October 2, 2023, 6:00 am

Leighton Vander Esch Lands on List of NFL's Top 10 Rookies

Cowboys

by Jermaine Arvie

Leighton Vander Esch may prove to be most important piece to Dallas’ D

What more can a defensive unit ranked in the top 10 overall and number 1 in takeaways the past two seasons do? Most fans would say there’s still some meat on the…

September 6, 2023, 7:00 am

Cowboys

by Shane Taylor

How good can the Cowboys LB group be in 2023?

The Dallas Cowboys depth chart has some good balance to it, and by now, we have a nice understanding of who will fit in where. One part of the depth chart, though,…

August 19, 2023, 10:27 am

Cowboys

by Mario Herrera Jr.

Don’t rule out Dallas adding veteran help at linebacker

The 2023 version of the Dallas Cowboys will field one of their most talented and competitive teams in recent memory. They have very few weak spots on the roster, but someone needs…

August 11, 2023, 6:00 am

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Leighton Vander Esch

The Dallas Cowboys All-What-If Team

The Cowboys Aren’t Cheap—Their Spending Problem Is Worse

The Linebacker Archetype the Cowboys Have Missed Since 2024

The 1 position the Cowboys can’t stay healthy at

Just 1 big question remains in the Best of Cowboys series

Will McClay’s track record in the 1st round puts him a cut above the rest

Why today’s game in San Francisco is about more than revenge

Dallas could have the best, or worst, NFC East LB corps

Former Cowboys 1st round pick announces retirement

Cowboys release Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch on Friday

A new starter will rise at middle linebacker for Dallas in 2024

3 ways the Cowboys can improve at linebacker in 2024

Stocking the Cowboys’ linebacker room is a priority this offseason

5 Players The Cowboys Should Move On From In 2024

Cowboys Injury Update: Leighton Vander Esch Out for 2023 Season

Cowboys’ defense puts up monster Week 4 fantasy numbers

Eagles clinging to slim NFC East lead over Dallas

Cowboys’ defense returns, offense still shaky in red zone — Monday Morning QB

Leighton Vander Esch may prove to be most important piece to Dallas’ D

How good can the Cowboys LB group be in 2023?

Don’t rule out Dallas adding veteran help at linebacker

Latest Cowboys Coverage

Cowboys Defense: A Tale of 2 Terrible Halves?

Can the Cowboys finally end the Cardinals’ perfect record at AT&T Stadium?

Can the Cowboys OL sustain the level of play we saw on Monday night?

What Comes Next if Dallas Decides to Clean House?

The Cowboys Coaching Staff Struggles Again in Week 7 Win

A Cowboys Rebuild: They Can’t Keep Running the Team Back

Cowboys balanced offense fuels 38-21 victory over Eagles on MNF

Cowboys Remaining 26′ Schedule: I’m Not Buying the Easy Road