5 free agents who might follow Matt Eberflus to the Chicago Bears

Free Agent Matt Eberflus Could Bring to the Chicago Bears: Malik Hooker, S

Finally, a former first-round draft pick who might want to follow Matt Eberflus is Malik Hooker. Hooker was drafted the year prior to Eberflus coming to the Colts to be the defensive coordinator, but he worked under Eberflus’ tutelage for three years before moving on to play for the Cowboys.

It is telling that Hooker was not re-signed with the Colts in 2021 though. Indianapolis didn’t even pick up his fifth-year option. It is possible that the team did not want to risk paying him as he was coming off a torn Achilles that cost him most of his final season (2020) with the Colts. Malik Hooker tore it in Week 2 and didn’t play another snap that year.

Hooker signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Dallas Cowboys this season. He only started three games for the Cowboys, but still finished with a pretty solid 30 solo tackles and one interception. His advanced stats were the best of his career playing in Dallas with a 57.1% completion rate and 80.8 QB rating while being targeted.

While healthy in Indianapolis and playing in Matt Eberflus’ system, Hooker wasn’t as good statistically. He was allowing over 70% of his targets to be completed and quarterbacks saw an average of 110.9 QB rating while throwing in Hooker’s direction. Hooker did average over two interceptions per game under Eberflus though.

Last year, Eddie Jackson spoke about how he enjoyed playing in the nickel cornerback spot. Maybe, if Matt Eberflus and his staff agree, it’s possible that Jackson takes on that role more prominently and Malik Hooker can step in to play the true free safety spot. He is still only 25 years old.