Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has emerged as arguably the best kicker in the league over the past couple of seasons, and team owner Jerry Jones appears ready to make him the highest-paid player at his position.
However, the two sides have not yet agreed on a contract. The Cowboys placed a second-round tender on Aubrey, allowing negotiations to continue while maintaining control over the situation. However, ESPN insider Adam Schefter has warned Dallas not to get too clever with Aubrey’s restricted free agency.
Adam Schefter Warns Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey Could Be Poached in Free Agency
Aubrey has made 112 of his 127 career field goal attempts, and few would argue against him becoming the highest-paid kicker in the league. That distinction currently belongs to Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, who earns $6.4 million annually.
Speaking with NBC, Jones said the Dallas Cowboys would love to retain Aubrey and are prepared to make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
“We want to make him the highest-paid player,” Jones said. “We think he’s outstanding. Love his story, love the fact that the story is with the Cowboys. We feel good that what we are talking about is an appreciation of what he can do for us. That’s a way of, not trying to negotiate with anything that I might say here, but we’ve got a good offer on the table for him.”
However, the offer presented to Aubrey is reportedly close to $7.5 million, while he is seeking nearly $10 million a year. As negotiations continue, the Cowboys placed a second-round tender on Aubrey. That means any team signing him away in free agency would have to surrender a second-round draft pick, unless Dallas matches the offer.
And according to Schefter, there is still a real possibility another team could try to pry Aubrey away.
“Brandon Aubrey, to me, has turned into one of the great weapons of the game,” Schefter said. “And maybe I am more interested in kickers than most people, but it feels like all Dallas has to do is get to midfield, they only have to get to midfield, and they’re within range for Brandon Aubrey. I know the kicking rules and games have changed, because so many of these guys .. can boom these long kicks.”
“What would you be willing to pay a guy who made a difference in every single game? Is that worth $8 million? $10 million? $12 million? What is it worth to you? Kickers are like insurance, you never know that you need one until you don’t have it, and then it is too late. To me, again, if I were in a front office, I would be spending more, more than most people would on Brandon Aubrey.”
Aubrey was not thrilled with the second-round tender, which would pay him $5.8 million on a one-year deal, and he is seeking a more lucrative long-term contract. The star kicker led the league with 36 made field goals during his rookie season and drilled the longest field goal of the 2024 campaign, a 65-yarder.
After earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection last season, Aubrey now appears poised to set a new financial benchmark for kickers across the NFL, whether with the Cowboys or another team.
