{"id":159614,"date":"2026-03-04T09:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T09:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=159614"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T09:45:21","slug":"update-the-star-doesnt-tolerate-mediocrity-for-long-after-a-disappointing-season-dallas-could-cut-ties-and-save-6-9m-to-feed-the-monster-smart-cap-reset-or-scapegoat-mo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=159614","title":{"rendered":"Update: The Star doesn\u2019t tolerate mediocrity for long. After a disappointing season, Dallas could cut ties and save $6.9M to \u201cfeed the monster.\u201d Smart cap reset or scapegoat move?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sportshub.cbsistatic.com\/i\/2023\/12\/22\/9566e531-1a9d-470f-a50f-0fc33de8ee8c\/gettyimages-1865781921-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Multiple Cowboys players doxxed on social media following blowout loss to  Bills - CBS Sports\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"125\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Dallas Cowboys<\/span><\/span> Eye Cap Relief as <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Malik Hooker<\/span><\/span> Emerges as Top Cut Candidate<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"127\" data-end=\"175\">The offseason shakeup may be underway in Dallas.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"177\" data-end=\"419\">Pro Football Focus recently identified Malik Hooker as the Cowboys\u2019 top cut candidate heading into 2026 free agency \u2014 a move that would create nearly $7 million in cap space for a franchise currently navigating a significant financial crunch.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"513\">And given both performance trends and salary cap realities, the discussion isn\u2019t surprising.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"518\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"520\" data-end=\"552\">A Disappointing 2025 Campaign<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"794\">Hooker, the former No. 15 overall pick by the <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Indianapolis Colts<\/span><\/span> 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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"796\" data-end=\"822\">He finished the year with:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"929\">\n<li data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"846\">\n<p data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"846\">52 combined tackles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"847\" data-end=\"869\">\n<p data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"869\">2 tackles for loss<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"870\" data-end=\"888\">\n<p data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"888\">1 pass defense<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"889\" data-end=\"908\">\n<p data-start=\"891\" data-end=\"908\">0 interceptions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"909\" data-end=\"929\">\n<p data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"929\">0 forced fumbles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"931\" data-end=\"1048\">According to PFF, Hooker posted a 60.8 overall grade \u2014 among the lower marks for starting safeties across the league.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1161\">For a veteran expected to anchor the back end of the defense, that level of production doesn\u2019t move the needle.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1166\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1168\" data-end=\"1208\">Bigger Problem: The Defense Collapsed<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1280\">Hooker\u2019s individual struggles mirrored a broader defensive regression.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1338\">In 2025, Dallas ranked near the bottom of the league in:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1411\">\n<li data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1357\">\n<p data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1357\">Points allowed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1385\">\n<p data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1385\">Total yards surrendered<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1386\" data-end=\"1411\">\n<p data-start=\"1388\" data-end=\"1411\">Passing yards allowed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1565\">What was once considered a strength became a liability. The secondary, in particular, struggled with consistency, communication, and creating turnovers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1567\" data-end=\"1723\">Hooker \u2014 a player once projected as a true ballhawk coming out of Ohio State \u2014 never fully developed into the turnover-generating presence Dallas hoped for.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1725\" data-end=\"1810\">Over five seasons with the Cowboys, he appeared in 76 games (53 starts) and recorded:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1890\">\n<li data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1826\">\n<p data-start=\"1813\" data-end=\"1826\">289 tackles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1849\">\n<p data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"1849\">9 tackles for loss<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1870\">\n<p data-start=\"1852\" data-end=\"1870\">14 pass breakups<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1871\" data-end=\"1890\">\n<p data-start=\"1873\" data-end=\"1890\">7 interceptions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1971\">Solid numbers, but not elite \u2014 especially given his draft pedigree and cap hit.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"1976\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1978\" data-end=\"2019\">The Cap Situation Is Forcing Decisions<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKDZZ0llUTMs9EMbkFP0e2OPC71N5pQ18Dqvwwfupyp9gGkihbFDAUEFrdRjMbHEGj2AfY7SdybNuCxJMrzpJk-9SuNbGttGGeP70MTQ&amp;s=10\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2021\" data-end=\"2093\">The financial pressure makes this decision more practical than personal.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2095\" data-end=\"2518\">After reportedly placing the franchise tag on <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">George Pickens<\/span><\/span>, the Cowboys are projected to sit more than $58 million over the salary cap. While restructures involving <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Dak Prescott<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">CeeDee Lamb<\/span><\/span>, and <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Tyler Smith<\/span><\/span> could generate significant flexibility, trimming mid-tier contracts is often the first step toward stabilization.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2520\" data-end=\"2639\">Releasing Hooker would free approximately $6.9 million \u2014 modest in isolation, but meaningful in a broader cap strategy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2816\">As PFF\u2019s <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Thomas Valentine<\/span><\/span> noted, the Cowboys\u2019 secondary is due for a revamp, and Hooker \u2014 entering his age-30 season \u2014 may not fit into a long-term reset.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2818\" data-end=\"2821\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2823\" data-end=\"2842\">What Comes Next?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2844\" data-end=\"2889\">For Dallas, the path forward likely includes:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2890\" data-end=\"3031\">\n<li data-start=\"2890\" data-end=\"2924\">\n<p data-start=\"2892\" data-end=\"2924\">Drafting young defensive backs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2925\" data-end=\"2965\">\n<p data-start=\"2927\" data-end=\"2965\">Targeting cost-effective free agents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"3031\">\n<p data-start=\"2968\" data-end=\"3031\">Reallocating resources toward pass rush and coverage upgrades<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3206\">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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3208\" data-end=\"3366\">The decision ultimately reflects roster evolution. The Cowboys aren\u2019t just evaluating individual players \u2014 they\u2019re recalibrating an entire defensive identity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3368\" data-end=\"3459\">If Hooker is released, he may simply be the first domino in a broader restructuring effort.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3461\" data-end=\"3529\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">And in Dallas, when change begins, it rarely stops at just one move.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":159616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-159614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Update: The Star doesn\u2019t tolerate mediocrity for long. 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