Everyone drop what you’re doing because the Dallas Cowboys made ANOTHER move on this action-packed Tuesday afternoon.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are re-signing Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch — AKA the “Wolf Hunter” — on a two-year deal worth $11 million.
The #Cowboys are signing back LB Leighton Vander Esch, source said, giving him a 2-year deal worth $11M. They get back one of their top defenders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023
This signing arguably solidifies that the team has their two top notable free agents locked up, and now they can focus on improving the team in different personnel groups.
Before we jump into how GREAT this signing is, let’s slide back to my reference about this afternoon, where I described it as “action-packed.”
I use that adjective because this re-signing came an hour after the team orchestrated a trade for former All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Oh, and I almost forgot, the team also successfully re-signed S Donovan Wilson this morning.
So could we say it has been an eventful day for Cowboy fans? Most definitely.
It’s like the front office is hinting that they want to win. Isn’t it crazy?
Anyways.
Jumping back to the significance of bringing Vander Esch back — it’s a home run that there will be some continuity among the LB group. Many people in the NFL world predicted that Linebacker Micah Parsons would have a new running mate, but the front office proved them wrong.
Vander Esch is coming off his best season since his early years — and he’s a key cog in Dan Quinn’s defense. While his injuries are always a concern, Vander Esch played his tail off last season and earned another contract with the Boys.
Plus, the LSU linebacker duo of Jabril Cox and Damone Clark can still grow behind Vander Esch, which isn’t terrible for them and the team.
For now, it’s Wolf Hunting time, baby.