Leighton Vander Esch EXCLUSIVE: Here's 'Why I Signed' with Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys powered up on defense on Tuesday on the second day of NFL free agency, having secured safety Donovan Wilson (in "sign our own'' fashion) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (in a trade with the Colts).
But a centerpiece of it all is the retention of linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, and his desire to keep working for his bosses is a central reason why.
"I'm so happy to be coming back to Dallas,'' Vander Esch told CowboysSI.com in an exclusive interview that took place just minutes after we broke the story of him having agreed to his new two-year, $11 million contract. "One of the big reasons is I just love playing for Dan and Mike.''
"Mike'' is head coach Mike McCarthy, who has put a great deal of faith in "LVE'' as a team leader.'' Just as important, though? "Dan,'' as in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Remember that earlier in Vander Esch's career, Dallas changed defensive coordinators on an annual basis. As he told us in a one-on-one visit when he signed that last deal ...
"I've had three different defensive systems in four years,'' Vander Esch said. "Me having the same defensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons .. I am only going to get better.
"My best football is ahead of me.''
That turned out to be true in 2022.
But now? Quinn keeps choosing to stay ... and fittingly, so does Vander Esch.
At one point this week, the Cowboys were trying to juggle "LVE vs. Bobby Wagner,'' another high-profile free agent linebacker. Could Dallas still chase Wagner, who has deep ties that could take him back to Seattle? That seems a tight squeeze, but he's a Quinn guy, so maybe.
Meanwhile ... Some feel the leader of this Dallas defense is "Lion-backer'' Micah Parsons. DeMarcus Lawrence also carries that title, as does Jayron Kearse and others.
But there's no question the "quarterback'' of the Cowboys' smothering defense the past couple of seasons has been Vander Esch. And now he's back ... and loving it.
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