The clock is ticking for another team to swoop in and grab arguably the NFL’s elite kickers in Dallas Cowboys star Brandon Aubrey — they just have to be willing to cough up a 2nd round pick to do so.
While that might actually be a smart move for a select group of teams, the odds of that happening seem to have been whittled down to almost nil.
“Cowboys restricted free agent kicker Brandon Aubrey has until Friday to sign an offer sheet with another team; if he doesn’t, Dallas retains his rights for the 2026 season,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “With time running out and no offer forthcoming, Aubrey now looks destined to remain with Dallas in 2026.”
Cowboys Played Hardball With Aubrey’s Contract
The Cowboys knew they had a trump card to play with 3-time NFL All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey, and they finally used it on March 7.
“Cowboys have given the second-round, $5.76 million tender to kicker Brandon Aubrey, per source,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “Aubrey now can sign an offer sheet with another team that the Cowboys would have the right to match. If they don’t, they would get back a second-round pick.”
In other words, the Cowboys put the squeeze on Aubrey when he didn’t sign whatever contract extension offers were on the table because there’s little to no chance a team gives up a 2nd round pick for a kicker. Even if it is the NFL’s best kicker.
Aubrey may have been his own worst enemy in the process. The Cowboys reportedly offered him a deal that would have made him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, exceeding the $6.4 million per year for Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
On Aubrey’s side, his agent was asking for closer to $10 million. Turning down an opportunity to become the NFL’s highest-paid kicker might cost him in the long run.
“Contract extension talks stalled last summer and never really picked up (with Aubrey),” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on Friday. “Both sides agree he should be the highest-paid kicker, but they are far apart on the value. Without an extension, the Cowboys will put the second-round tender on him ($5.7 million).”
Brandon Aubrey Made NFL History in 2025
Despite the Cowboys going 7-9-1 and missing the playoffs for a 2nd consecutive season, Aubrey was as good as he’s ever been.
Aubrey became the first player in NFL history to kick 3 field goals of 55 yards or longer in a single game in a Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions, hitting field goals from 63, 57 and 55 yards — 3 of the 5 total field goals he hit against the Lions.
Aubrey also became the first player in NFL history to make 100 field goals in their first 3 seasons.
“Brandon Aubrey just casually knocking a 63-yarder thru,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on his official X account. “That was Tom Dempsey’s record distance that stood alone for 28 years.”
“Brandon Aubrey might be more valuable than many NFL QBs,” Kalshi Sports wrote on its official X account.
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