Colts are declining Malik Hooker's option

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by HoosierinFL

This is close. He hasn't seen what he wanted Hooker to be, so now it's "this is your contract year, will you play like it?"

But at the same time, I do recall that Ballard doesn't like guys that only show up in contract years, so I suspect that whether Hooker plays lights out this year or not, he's unlikely to be back in 2021. So this is just a way of coaxing one good season out of him.

You may have nailed it. Hooker has a great season, signs a huge contract and Ballard gets him a third round draft choice. He loves them draft choices. I do like that Ballard won't settle for average