Dallas Cowboys Eye Cap Relief as Malik Hooker Emerges as Top Cut Candidate

The offseason shakeup may be underway in Dallas.

Pro Football Focus recently identified Malik Hooker as the Cowboys’ top cut candidate heading into 2026 free agency — a move that would create nearly $7 million in cap space for a franchise currently navigating a significant financial crunch.

And given both performance trends and salary cap realities, the discussion isn’t surprising.

A Disappointing 2025 Campaign

Hooker, the former No. 15 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2017, has spent the past five seasons in Dallas. While he has provided experience and rotational stability, his 2025 performance left much to be desired.

He finished the year with:

• 52 combined tackles

• 2 tackles for loss

• 1 pass defense

• 0 interceptions

• 0 forced fumbles

According to PFF, Hooker posted a 60.8 overall grade — among the lower marks for starting safeties across the league.

For a veteran expected to anchor the back end of the defense, that level of production doesn’t move the needle.

Bigger Problem: The Defense Collapsed

Hooker’s individual struggles mirrored a broader defensive regression.

In 2025, Dallas ranked near the bottom of the league in:

• Points allowed

• Total yards surrendered

• Passing yards allowed

What was once considered a strength became a liability. The secondary, in particular, struggled with consistency, communication, and creating turnovers.

Hooker — a player once projected as a true ballhawk coming out of Ohio State — never fully developed into the turnover-generating presence Dallas hoped for.

Over five seasons with the Cowboys, he appeared in 76 games (53 starts) and recorded:

• 289 tackles

• 9 tackles for loss

• 14 pass breakups

• 7 interceptions

Solid numbers, but not elite — especially given his draft pedigree and cap hit.

The Cap Situation Is Forcing Decisions

The financial pressure makes this decision more practical than personal.

After reportedly placing the franchise tag on George Pickens, the Cowboys are projected to sit more than $58 million over the salary cap. While restructures involving Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyler Smith could generate significant flexibility, trimming mid-tier contracts is often the first step toward stabilization.

Releasing Hooker would free approximately $6.9 million — modest in isolation, but meaningful in a broader cap strategy.

As PFF’s Thomas Valentine noted, the Cowboys’ secondary is due for a revamp, and Hooker — entering his age-30 season — may not fit into a long-term reset.

What Comes Next?

For Dallas, the path forward likely includes:

• Drafting young defensive backs

• Targeting cost-effective free agents

• Reallocating resources toward pass rush and coverage upgrades

For Hooker, free agency could present a fresh start. At 30, he still offers experience and versatility, particularly for teams seeking depth rather than a primary playmaker.

The decision ultimately reflects roster evolution. The Cowboys aren’t just evaluating individual players — they’re recalibrating an entire defensive identity.

If Hooker is released, he may simply be the first domino in a broader restructuring effort.

And in Dallas, when change begins, it rarely stops at just one move.