Overview
- Fort Worth Star‑Telegram reporter Nick Harris, as cited by Heavy, says not to expect major veteran cuts such as Malik Hooker or Terence Steele despite the cap crunch.
- Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell had listed Hooker as a leading cap‑casualty candidate, with a release projected to free about $6.9–$7 million.
- Dallas is reported to be roughly $56–58 million over the cap after tagging George Pickens, with targeted restructures projected to open about $95 million in space.
- Safety remains unsettled, with analysts expecting at least one starter‑caliber addition through the draft or a low‑cost veteran such as Reed Blankenship despite his poor 2025 grade.
- Hooker, who turns 30 in April, started 12 games with 52 tackles in 2025 and has seen recent performance slippage, with a contract rework also discussed in local analysis.