As with every offseason, there will be plenty of roster turnover heading into the newest regular season. This roster turnover currently is hitting the linebacker room fairly hard as players like Leighton Vander Esch, Anthony Barr, and Luke Gifford hit the free agent market. Gifford may not be used as a starter on defense, but his play on special teams has made him a valuable player just as Vander Esch and Barr have been for the Dallas Cowboys.
Vander Esch was declined his fifth-year option from his rookie deal but eventually re-signed with the team on a modest one-year, $2 million dollar contract.