During his six-year career, Vander Esch was the team’s first choice in the 2018 NFL Draft and started 65 of his 71 games.
Pro linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced his retirement from the National Football League three days after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys.
With a failed physical designation, Vander Esch was dismissed on Friday following a 12-game absence due to a neck injury sustained in 2023. The 28-year-old had a neck injury for the fourth time since 2019 that was deemed potentially fatal to his career.
Leighton Vander Esch issues farewell statement
In a team-shared statement, Vander Esch stated:
“I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the unwavering standard of excellence that professional football demands. Now I say this with a heavy heart: I am medically retiring from the NFL,”
“I love the game of football so much, and my body won’t cooperate any longer. Well, I cherished every moment of my NFL career, and it has been such a blessing to play the game for as long as I have played. This year, things may look a little different for me, but the sole focus is being a great husband and father for my loving family.”
Vander Esch underwent fusion surgery after receiving a diagnosis of a thin spinal column following his initial neck injury in 2019. His most recent injury occurred in Week 5 of last year’s game against San Francisco when he was shoved from behind and smashed his neck into the right leg of teammate Micah Parsons.
Before the Cowboys selected him in the first round, Vander Esch had neck problems at Boise State. He made his only Pro Bowl and established a club rookie mark with 176 tackles. Dallas rejected the rookie contract’s fifth-year option, in part due to the neck problems, but signed him back for a one-year contract in 2022.