In an unexpected move, Cowboys sign S Malik Hooker to contract extension

As first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement on a contract extension with veteran S Malik Hooker.

The extension is for three years with up to $24 million in total compensation, with $16.5 million in guarantees.

The terms of the contract also guarantee Hooker an $8 million payout from the team sometime within the next 15 days.

I will inform Cowboys Nation of the full details of the contract plus incentives as soon as they become available.

What Does This Mean For Dallas?

Firstly, it just continues to show that the philosophy of the team is under a huge change.

Prior to the arrival of our heaven sent Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, the safety position was one that appeared to be purposely overlooked by Dallas.

Quinn's base defense is a 4-2-5 lineup called the Big Nickel.

It features four down linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs.

What differentiates this lineup from the traditional Nickel lineup used across the NFL is the fact that Quinn deploys three safeties as opposed to the common three cornerback look.

It means that Dallas has now locked up two-thirds of their three headed monster at the safety position.

Hooker has revitalized his career in the past couple of seasons since arriving in Dallas for the 2021 season.

Known as an injury prone player after being drafted in the 1st round by the Indianapolis Colts, Hooker has since changed that narrative.

In the past two seasons, he has played in 31 of a possible 32 games.

Not only has he played, but he has been an integral part of the Cowboys defense that has since elevated to one of the best in the NFL after an historically bad 2020 season.

Hooker has compiled 136 tackles, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery returned 38 yards for a touchdown.

I considered myself lucky when Donovan Wilson was re-signed to a contract a few months ago preventing him from hitting free agency.

Based on history, I was sure we would be seeing Wilson in a different uniform this upcoming season.

What Changed?

Dallas just does not (did not) have the reputation of paying allocating big money to the safety position.

Cowboys fans have been begging for Dallas to invest in a play-making safety since future Hall of Famer Darren Woodson retired after the 2003 season.

Year in and year out, we stayed with the same hope in both the draft and free agency that Dallas would pull the trigger on one of the best safeties available.

Unfortunately, we were constantly let down when the Jones' would decide to shop in the bargain bin for safety help.

You have to give credit to the Cowboys' front office for actually attempting to bolster the safety position back in the offseason prior to the 2007 campaign.

Dallas signed the top free safety on the market when Ken Hamlin became available after his contract with the Seattle Seahawks was allowed to expire.

Perhaps bolstered by a magical 13-3 season that year, Hamlin actually made his only Pro Bowl in that 2007 season.

After that, he severely underperformed based on the money allocated to his contract, and was released after just three seasons.

That was likely the straw that broke the camel's back for Dallas, as they avoided all high priced safeties since then.

Until now, that is.

Dan Quinn and his scheme have brought life a position that had constantly been pushed to the back burner by the front office.

Congratulations to Malik Hooker on his big pay day, and now let's work on an extension for Jayron Kearse, shall we?