Cowboys' Leighton Vander Esch 'trusts their plan' amid trade rumors

Shortly after the Dallas Cowboys drafted Penn State Nittany Lions star linebacker Micah Parsons and then declined the fifth-year option on one-time Pro Bowler Leighton Vander Esch, rumors surfaced the club could trade Vander Esch rather than risk losing him for nothing next March. 

NFL Media reported Wednesday the Cowboys currently aren't shopping the 25-year-old, and he said Thursday he still has a great relationship with Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones and owner Jerry Jones. 

"I've got nothing but respect for the Joneses," Vander Esch explained, per Rob Phillips of the club's website. "They're the ones that took a chance on me to begin with. So I mean, I trust in their plan and I think we have a great thing going. Our relationship is amazing. Like I said, I'm just controlling what I can control. I've got no control over the logistics of who pays who what. It is what it is."

Stephen Jones told radio station 105.3 The Fan last month he wants "to keep Leighton around here for the next four or five years," but money could be an issue. Vander Esch was set to earn $9.145 million on his fifth-year option before the upcoming campaign became a contract year, and he may have to offer Dallas a considerable discount to stay put beyond 2021.