The Cowboys are heading into a pivotal offseason, and a projected salary cap jump to $305.7 million in 2026 offers some much-needed breathing room. But even with that boost, Dallas still finds itself more than $31.3 million over the cap, according to Spotrac. In other words, the front office has work to do-and fast.
That means some tough decisions are looming, and one of the more pressing questions centers around veteran safety Malik Hooker. With free agency just over a month away, Hooker's future in Dallas is anything but certain.
Malik Hooker’s Time in Dallas Could Be Winding Down
Hooker, a nine-year NFL veteran, has been a steady presence in the Cowboys’ secondary since arriving in Dallas. He signed a three-year, $21 million extension back in August 2023, a deal that reflected both his leadership in the locker room and his ability to contribute on the field. But now, just halfway through that contract, the Cowboys may be considering an early exit.
The issue isn’t effort or attitude-Hooker is well-liked and respected within the organization. The concern is performance, particularly in coverage.
Injuries limited him to 12 starts this past season, and in those games, the production just didn’t match the paycheck. He finished with 28 solo tackles and broke up just one pass.
For the first time since joining the Cowboys, he didn’t record a single interception.
The drop-off was most apparent in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Hooker allowed 15 completions on 18 targets-a staggering 83.3% completion rate-for 295 yards and a touchdown.
Opposing quarterbacks posted a near-perfect passer rating of 155.8 when targeting him. That number is uncomfortably close to the 158.3 rating he allowed in his final year with the Colts in 2020, a season that contributed to Indianapolis declining his fifth-year option.
A Cap-Clearing Move That Could Reshape the Secondary
From a financial standpoint, moving on from Hooker would offer some relief. The Cowboys could save over $6.9 million in cap space by releasing or trading him this offseason. That kind of flexibility matters when you’re trying to re-sign key players, fill roster holes, and stay competitive in a loaded NFC.
It also opens the door for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker to put his stamp on the secondary. With Donovan Wilson set to hit unrestricted free agency, the Cowboys could be looking at a full reset at safety. Parker, who brings a fresh perspective and new ideas, might prefer to build around younger, more versatile players who can hold up better in coverage.
Not a Done Deal-But a Real Possibility
To be clear, Hooker’s departure isn’t a lock. The Cowboys haven’t made any official moves yet, and there’s still time for things to shake out differently.
But the writing is on the wall. If Dallas wants to keep pace with the NFC’s elite, it needs more consistency and reliability on the back end of its defense.
Hooker still has value-especially as a run-stopper-but if his coverage issues persist, the Cowboys may decide that it’s time to move on. And if that happens, don’t be surprised if the next time you see him, he’s suiting up in a different uniform.