After putting together a top-five defense in 2022, the Cowboys retained a key piece of the puzzle Tuesday.
Dallas reportedly has reached an agreement to re-sign veteran linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to a two-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal will be worth a potential $11 million.
Vander Esch, 27, has spent his entire career with the Cowboys after being selected with the No. 19 pick in the 2018 draft. He made the Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro as a rookie, racking up 133 tackles and two interceptions.
Since then, Vander Esch has played in 50 games over the past four seasons. Last year, he put together his most productive season since his rookie campaign, notching 83 tackles with one sack and one forced fumble.
The Cowboys had the league’s fifth-best scoring defense in 2022, allowing 20.1 points per game.
