ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 14: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after his team was defeated by the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 14: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after his team was defeated by the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys had a trump card to play with 3-time NFL All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey, and they finally used it.
“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 on Saturday. “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).”