Cowboys' extension for Malik Hooker highlights Dan Quinn's weight on team
Following the news of Malik Hooker's three-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, I found myself thinking about my best attempt at a Cowboys meme from 2021. Yes, I'm quite proud of that one. Especially because of how well it has aged. Before the Cowboys got defensive coordinator Dan Quinn onboard, they had historically undervalued […]
Following the news of Malik Hooker's three-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys, I found myself thinking about my best attempt at a Cowboys meme from 2021.
Yes, I'm quite proud of that one. Especially because of how well it has aged. Before the Cowboys got defensive coordinator Dan Quinn onboard, they had historically undervalued the safety position. They never paid big-time money at the position in free agency. The last time they drafted a safety was Roy Williams in 2002. Byron Jones in 2015 was seen as a safety back then but the Cowboys liked him because he could play everywhere and later would move him full-time to safety.
Enter Dan Quinn in 2021. The Cowboys signed Keanu Neal, Jayron Kearse, and Malik Hooker, and drafted Israel Mukuamu. Since then, Kearse, Hooker, and Donovan Wilson have started for the Cowboys in Quinn's three-safety package. The three were in the Top 5 of defensive snaps last season. All three have received contract extensions in the last couple of years.
That's all because of Quinn and how he approaches the safety position. He's shown the front office the value of having top-tier players in that room. In his defense, the versatility of them stands out more than anything else, with Kearse and Wilson doing a little bit of everything.
Hooker, whose deal was reported on Friday, is actually the most "traditional" type of player. But that doesn't mean he's any less important. He's the Cowboys' true free safety player, consistently showing off his impressive range like a centerfielder.
Quinn's power in the team's decision-making goes well beyond the team's group of safeties. The Cowboys have invested a lot of resources in defenders, including this year's $97M for Trevon Diggs and a first-round draft pick used in nose tackle Mazi Smith. Not to mention all the additional defenders drafted by Dallas (and UDFA signings) that Quinn appears to be spearheading within the organization.
The Cowboys have previously praised their coach's ability to evaluate talent. But they accompany their words with actions. Quinn has to be loving it. Let's remember that next year when reports start to emerge on the defensive coach interviewing for head coaching vacancies around the league.
The Cowboys are doing their part to convince him to not go anywhere.
Key Cowboys player cuts in line of team’s stars for big payday
He got the bag.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
