Dallas Cowboys May Need to Part Ways With Malik Hooker as Salary Cap Pressure Mounts

America’s Team can’t afford to ignore the financial realities shaping its future. As the NFL offseason approaches, the Dallas Cowboys are once again facing difficult decisions—decisions that could redefine the roster and determine whether the franchise can realistically compete with the NFC’s elite in the coming seasons.

Earlier this week, the Cowboys received encouraging news when reports indicated that the 2026 NFL salary cap could rise as high as $305.7 million. While that projection represents a significant league-wide increase, it doesn’t magically solve Dallas’ financial issues. According to Spotrac, the Cowboys are still projected to be more than $31.3 million over the cap before the official figure is finalized.

That reality places owner and general manager Jerry Jones in a familiar but uncomfortable position. The Cowboys will need to create cap flexibility, and that means making tough calls on veteran contracts—even ones tied to respected locker-room leaders. One such decision centers on veteran safety Malik Hooker, whose future in Dallas is suddenly far from secure.

Malik Hooker’s Cowboys Tenure May Be Nearing Its End

As of early February, just over one month before free agency officially opens, Malik Hooker’s name is emerging as one of the most notable potential cap casualties on the Cowboys’ roster.

Hooker is a nine-year NFL veteran who has spent the majority of his career with Dallas after originally entering the league as a first-round pick with the Indianapolis Colts. In August 2023, he signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension, a deal that reflected both his experience and his perceived importance to the Cowboys’ secondary at the time.

On paper, it would be ideal for Dallas to see that contract through. In practice, however, the combination of declining on-field performance, durability concerns, and mounting salary cap pressure makes an early separation increasingly plausible.

Performance and Availability Concerns in 2025

While Hooker remains a respected presence in the locker room, his 2025 season raised serious red flags. Health issues limited him to 12 regular-season starts, as he missed five games due to injury. When he was on the field, his production failed to justify his contract.

Across those 12 starts, Hooker recorded just 28 solo tackles and one pass breakup. Even more concerning, he failed to register a single interception for the first time since joining the Cowboys—a notable drop-off for a player once praised for his ball-hawking ability.

Though Hooker can still contribute against the run, his effectiveness in pass coverage has become a glaring weakness. In today’s NFL, where elite quarterbacks and explosive passing attacks dominate the NFC, that deficiency is difficult to overlook.

Coverage Struggles Paint a Troubling Picture

Advanced metrics further reinforce the concerns surrounding Hooker’s performance. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks targeted Hooker 18 times during the season, completing 15 of those passes—an alarming 83.3 percent completion rate. Those receptions went for 295 yards and one touchdown, resulting in a passer rating of 155.8 when throwing into his coverage.

That number is especially troubling given its historical context. Hooker has only allowed a passer rating that high once before—during his final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, when quarterbacks posted a 158.3 rating against him. That season ultimately led the Colts to decline his fifth-year option, citing durability and coverage inconsistencies.

Now, the Cowboys appear to be facing a similar decision after a comparable stretch of time.

Salary Cap Savings Make the Decision Tempting

From a purely financial standpoint, moving on from Hooker makes sense. According to Spotrac, the Cowboys could save more than $6.9 million in cap space by cutting or trading Hooker at any point during the offseason.

That kind of flexibility is extremely valuable for a team already over the cap. The savings could be redirected toward:

• Re-signing key free agents

• Addressing expiring contracts

• Targeting mid-tier free agents in positions of need

• Creating breathing room for draft-related expenses

Perhaps most importantly, it would give new defensive coordinator Christian Parker the freedom to reshape the safety room from the ground up.

A Safety Room in Transition

Dallas’ secondary is already on the verge of significant change. Veteran safety Donovan Wilson is set to hit unrestricted free agency next month, meaning the Cowboys could be losing multiple contributors at the position in a short span.

While that level of turnover is risky, it also presents an opportunity. Parker may prefer to implement a new defensive vision with younger, faster, and more versatile players—particularly ones who can hold up in coverage against modern passing schemes.

Keeping Hooker on the roster could limit that flexibility, both financially and schematically.

Not a Guaranteed Exit—But a Real Possibility

It’s important to note that Hooker’s departure is not guaranteed. Veteran experience still has value, and the Cowboys may decide that his leadership and run defense justify keeping him around for another season.

That said, the signs are impossible to ignore. Dallas is under immense pressure to improve its defense if it hopes to compete with top NFC contenders like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions. Standing pat at safety—especially with declining production—would be a risky gamble.

The Bigger Picture for the Cowboys

The Cowboys’ offseason strategy will be defined by difficult compromises. Even with a rising salary cap, financial discipline is unavoidable. Every contract must be evaluated not just for what it represents emotionally, but for what it delivers on the field.

Malik Hooker’s situation embodies that dilemma. He has been a professional, respected teammate who contributed during key stretches of Dallas’ recent playoff pushes. But football is a results-driven business, and recent results suggest the Cowboys may be better off reallocating his cap hit elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

If Malik Hooker ends up wearing another team’s jersey in 2026, it shouldn’t come as a shock. The combination of cap savings, declining coverage metrics, and a shifting defensive philosophy makes a potential split logical—even if it’s not painless.

For a franchise desperate to break through in the postseason, tough decisions are inevitable. And as the offseason unfolds, Malik Hooker’s future may serve as one of the clearest examples of how the Cowboys plan to balance loyalty with the pursuit of contention.