Maybe for linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, things will turn out very well for the year 2021. After all, after two seasons of constant injuries, it is time for the linebacker who dazzled in 2018 to return in style. However, it has clear competition with new elements that have arrived. As is the case with Keanu Neal for free agency. As well as Micah Parsons Y Jabril Cox through the draft, so things won’t be easy.
However, LVE knows what is at stake and its future in the organization. This regular season, he will be in his fourth year of a rookie contract and the Cowboys decided not to go for the fifth-year option. And while Stephen Jones has stated that they take the player into account and seek to give him an extension, this was not entirely clear. Most likely, they will evaluate Vander Esch in the 2021 campaign, and depending on the results, they give him his extension or not.
???? Sighting @VanderEsch38 pic.twitter.com/ozWKqC7xwl
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 25, 2021
Now, Leighton has been doing his part and doing a great job in the organized activities and mini-camp. “I feel great,” commented Vander Esch. “The best shape I feel I have ever been in. I was here the entire offseason training, lifting weights, running and doing all that, trying to improve and be successful this year. Not that he didn’t in the last few years, but it was just a slump for a while. So I’m just trying to do everything I can and control what I can to go out there and have a great season. “
It’s certainly good to know that Vander Esch has been busy training and trying to get back to his 2018 level, where he finished with 140 combined tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended. These numbers gave the linebacker a chance to make the Pro Bowl in his first year as a professional. Of course, that season he played all 16 regular season games, which has not happened again. Between 2019 and 2020, he has only participated in 19 games, a situation that is very worrying for his future.
#Cowboys Leighton Vander Esch – The Wolf Hunter – with his first career INT. pic.twitter.com/SQgQpel9cF
— fishsports (@fishsports) November 12, 2018
However, the defender looks quite optimistic with this new campaign that is about to start in a few months. Since as you mentioned, you have been working hard to achieve the goals. “I’ve been training, working hard and trying to put a little more body protection on myself to make sure I have the best possible chance to stay healthy.”
Either way, it is good to know that a player of the quality of Vander Esch is doing his part to be able to start in the best conditions in September. Now, we will also have to see the results of the training in Oxnard in the month of July. Since it is not really known if the player is going to take the field as a middle linebacker or a weak side linebacker. Everything will also depend on what elements such as the veteran Jaylon Smith and the rookie show Micah Parsons. In the case of the latter, it is leaving pleasant impressions and it is almost certain that it will be one of the headlines for the new season.
Of course, the linebacker corps this year has improved quite a bit and there will be great competition for positions when it comes to regular season games. Leighton Vander Esch will not have it easy, but that has not limited his desire to improve and have a better version than what he has shown these last two years. It is truly hoped that LVE can collaborate with the team and become one of the fundamental pillars in new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s schemes.
