Report: Cowboys holding on to Vander Esch despite trade inquiries

The Dallas Cowboys plan to keep Leighton Vander Esch despite stocking up on linebackers during the draft and receiving trade inquiries, a source told NFL Network's Jane Slater.

The Cowboys selected Micah Parsons in the first round and Jabril Cox in the fourth round of the draft, adding a pair of linebackers who could vie for prominent roles immediately.

Dallas declined the fifth-year option on Vander Esch's contract, putting the Boise State product on track to become a free agent after the 2021 campaign.

Vander Esch enjoyed a sparkling rookie season in 2018, serving as a rangy defender who could drop into coverage or stuff the run. But he's since struggled with injuries. Even when healthy, Vander Esch hasn't been near the dominant force over the last two seasons that he was as a rookie.

The Cowboys once fielded what looked to be a dynamic, young linebacker tandem in Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith, but their production has tailed off over the last two years.

Along with the reinforcements Dallas drafted, the Cowboys signed former Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal with the intention to play him at linebacker in 2021.

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