Malik Hooker is staying put in Dallas.
After signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys ahead of the 2021 season, the former Ohio State safety has inked a two-year deal for $8 million to remain with the organization moving forward.
Safety Malik Hooker staying in Dallas on a 2-year, $8 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022
Mane Run That Shit Back https://t.co/36UbREzZMO
— Malik Hooker (@MalikHooker24) March 15, 2022
Hooker appeared in 15 games for the Cowboys in 2021, logging three starts and finishing with one interception, two passes defended, 44 total tackles and one tackle for loss.
Hooker had spent the previous four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted the Pennsylvania native No. 15 overall in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Hooker started 35 games for the Colts and tallied seven interceptions and 124 total tackles in 36 appearances.
After playing just two games in 2020, Hooker suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, and eventually entered free agency the following offseason before signing with the Cowboys in July of 2021.
Hooker was a a first-team All-American for Ohio State in 2016 after intercepting seven passes and returning three of them for touchdowns as a first-year starter at safety. Hooker was also a member of Ohio State's national championship-winning 2014 roster.
Hooker is the second Buckeye to re-sign with the Cowboys this week, along with long snapper Jake McQuaide, who re-signed with the team Monday on a one-year deal. Both of them were slated to officially become free agents on Wednesday before re-signing with the Cowboys.
They’re two of three Buckeyes to sign new NFL deals this week along with Jamarco Jones, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans on Monday. Other Buckeyes who are slated to hit free agency include Andrew Norwell, Eli Apple, Johnathan Hankins, Billy Price, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes and Nate Ebner.
