The Indianapolis Colts are declining to exercise S Malik Hooker‘s fifth-year option for 2021, according to Jeremy Fowler.
Hooker came up as a potential trade candidate leading up to this year’s draft (NFLTR), but the Colts opted to hold on to him.
Stephen Holder reported that Indianapolis received trade calls regarding Hooker, but they were not actively shopping him.
Despite some flashes, Hooker has not yet been able to live up to his draft slot, partially due to injury.
The fifth-year option was guaranteed for injury only and wouldn’t have prevented them from negotiating a contract extension in the coming months. It was projected to cost them $6,770,000 for the 2021 season.
Hooker, 24, is a former first-round pick of the Colts back in 2017. He’s currently entering the final year of his four-year, $12.6 million contract that’s fully guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $2.18 million in 2020.
In 2019, Hooker appeared in 13 games for the Colts and recorded 51 tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and three pass defenses.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
