Micah Parsons on Leighton Vander Esch: 'He deserves every penny'

Following a multi-week rehab process for a pinched nerve, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch returned right back to his high levels of production on Monday night. The former Boise State star led the team with nine tackles against the Buccaneers and proved once again why he’s so valuable to the Cowboys defense.

ProFootballFocus editor John Owning tweeted about Vander Esch’s worth after the game, which drew the attention of Micah Parsons.

“Didn’t think I’d be saying this before the season, but LVE’s play this season has made him a near-must to re-sign for the #Cowboys defense,” Owning tweeted. “He’s proven to be so valuable.”

Parsons responded with a full endorsement of his fellow defender.

“That’s a fact!” Parsons said. “The disrespect he gets is outta control!! He deserves every penny!”

Vander Esch is currently on a one-year deal with Dallas worth $2 million. The Cowboys have paid him upwards of $13 million over five seasons but it’s almost time for them to re-up on the “Wolf Hunter.”

Brady to Vander Esch: ‘Catch one next week’

In Monday night’s showdown versus Tom Brady and the Bucs, Vander Esch nearly picked off the veteran quarterback twice. After the game, Brady met the Cowboys linebacker on the field and told him, “Catch one next week.”

Okay, this was cool…

Former #BoiseState LB Leighton Vander Esch almost picked off Tom Brady, the 🐐, twice tonight.

Brady to Leighton after the game: “Catch one next week.”

Just a kid from Riggins, Idaho, y’all.

Congrats on the W, @VanderEsch38! pic.twitter.com/7WPF6iLeuE

— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) January 17, 2023

Through the first round of playoffs, Vander Esch has 99 tackles, one sack and four tackles for loss.

After playing in 65% of the defensive snaps this season and helping the Cowboys making the playoffs, Vander Esch earned a $300,000 bonus incentive. He would have earned even more if not for the injury that held him out the last three weeks.

Questions about the star linebacker’s future in Dallas linger as the Cowboys enter the second week of the NFL playoffs. However, if Vander Esch keeps delivering like he did on Monday night, they’ll have a hard time saying no to another season.