Due to medical concerns over a neck injury, Vander Esch, who was a Pro Bowler and Second-team All-Pro in 2018, has opted to call it a career. The former first-round pick, who turned 28 in February, was limited to only five games in 2023 due to his neck injury and has battled neck injuries dating back to his days at Boise State. Vander Esch totaled 469 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks for his career and had signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys last offseason after playing in 14 games.

Vander Esch has struggled with neck issues in recent years and is still dealing with them as of two weeks ago. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Vander Esch recently to discuss his future. According to Jones, a decision would go beyond football, concerning his “long-term well-being and life.” It sounds like the neck issue could ultimately spell the end of Vander Esch’s career. The former first-round pick has played in Dallas for all six years of his career. If he chooses to keep playing, it will be in a new home for the first time.

According to Watkins, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with Vander Esch’s agent “to discuss his future.” Jones was quoted as saying, “It’s divorced from a decision of football. In his case, football is a big part of his life and his professional life, and his career. It has to do with his long-term well-being and long-term life.” Vander Esch has dealt with a handful of neck injuries in recent years and was placed on injured reserve last November with a season-ending neck injury. Vander Esch, 28, totaled 30 tackles last season and 90 tackles and one sack in 2022. It goes without saying that whether or not Vander Esch continues to play appears very much up in the air.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed the news in a Tuesday morning radio interview. Vander Esch sustained the neck injury in Week 5 against the 49ers and has not played or practiced since. The standout linebacker has played through neck issues for his entire NFL career, though he has missed significant time during those six seasons. He had 17 solo tackles and one tackle for a loss before his season-ending injury.