The Dallas Cowboys are on a mission to bounce back from a challenging 7-9-1 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. A significant part of their struggle has been on the defensive side, where issues under former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus were compounded by a slew of injuries.
Instead of diving headfirst into free agency, owner Jerry Jones opted for a calculated approach, bringing in Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, though Wilson has since been cut. Now, with the team facing potential cap casualties, tough decisions loom, including the possibility of cutting a starting defender.
Trading away Micah Parsons was a move that might haunt Jones, casting a long shadow over the Cowboys' defense. With the second-worst cap space in the league, sitting at a $24 million deficit, Dallas finds itself in a financial bind.
There are ways to alleviate this cap crunch, such as contract extensions, restructures, and player releases. This financial squeeze is why longtime Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota suggests safety Malik Hooker could be on the chopping block.
Machota notes, "The Cowboys are unlikely to have a notable salary-cap cut. Right tackle Terence Steele could be a possibility, but it would make more sense financially to keep him for at least one more year.
There’s also the defensive tackle position, where Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark are all making more than $20 million per season. However, it doesn’t sound like the Cowboys have interest in letting any of them walk.
That leaves Hooker, who is entering the final year of his deal. Releasing him would save Dallas about $6.8 million against the cap.
But that all greatly depends on how new defensive coordinator Christian Parker feels about Hooker and a safety position that isn’t very strong."
Teams in a cap crunch often face tough choices to bring in fresh talent. Jerry Jones, known for his cautious approach to big contracts, is in a tight spot. The Cowboys need a defensive boost, but losing Hooker could further weaken their lineup.
Hooker played in 12 games, recording 52 tackles and one pass defended. However, he allowed a 67.9% completion rate and a 131.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. His stats may not justify his 2026 salary, making his release a potential move to free up much-needed cap space.