Cowboys Negotiating Long-Term Deal With Brandon Aubrey, RFA Tender Remains Option

The Dallas Cowboys have made one thing abundantly clear: they do not intend to let Brandon Aubrey walk.

According to reporting from The Dallas Morning News, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that the organization has been engaged in ongoing negotiations with Aubrey on a long-term extension. If an agreement is not finalized before the start of free agency, Dallas is prepared to utilize a restricted free agent tender to maintain control.

“We’ve been working on a long-term deal for some time,” Jones said. “We’ve exchanged offers and the goal is to get him signed. We’ll tender him before the deadline if that’s what we have to decide.”

Aubrey enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, which places the Cowboys in a favorable leverage position. Unlike unrestricted free agents who can leave with no compensation, restricted free agents allow teams to apply a qualifying tender. In this case, Dallas could attach either a first-round or second-round tender to Aubrey.

Should that happen, another team would still be allowed to negotiate a contract with him. However, the Cowboys would retain the right of first refusal. If Dallas chose not to match an external offer, the signing team would owe the Cowboys draft compensation corresponding to the tender level.

From a practical standpoint, that scenario is unlikely to unfold. Kicker contracts rarely escalate into draft-compensation battles, and Dallas’ public stance signals confidence that a long-term resolution is forthcoming.

The Cowboys have recently demonstrated an ability to handle restricted free agent situations efficiently. Last offseason, they secured a deal with KaVontae Turpin before matters became complicated. They also moved decisively with Osa Odighizuwa prior to his unrestricted free agency window opening, reinforcing the front office’s preference to avoid deadline brinkmanship.

In Aubrey’s case, the urgency is understandable.

Aubrey has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable and powerful-legged kickers, earning widespread recognition for both consistency and range. In a season where the Cowboys faced offensive volatility and defensive inconsistencies, his production often provided stability. Special teams may not command headlines, but dependable kicking frequently determines postseason positioning.

Financially, Dallas remains in a tight cap situation, especially after agreeing to terms with running back Javonte Williams. Negotiating Aubrey’s extension now provides cost certainty and prevents the possibility of his market value increasing if he were to field outside offers.

Structurally, a multi-year deal would likely balance signing bonus allocation with manageable cap hits in the early years. That approach would align with the Cowboys’ broader strategy of smoothing cap burdens across seasons rather than absorbing sharp single-year spikes.

There is no indication of tension between the two sides. The language from Jones suggests routine business rather than contentious negotiation. The fallback tender option simply protects the organization against procedural timing issues rather than signaling distrust.

Ultimately, this situation appears to be less about “if” and more about “when.”

Dallas views Aubrey as a long-term asset. Aubrey has flourished within the Cowboys’ system. The mechanics are in place to keep the partnership intact.

If negotiations proceed smoothly, the tender will remain a contingency rather than a necessity. And if history is any guide, the Cowboys prefer resolution well before the clock forces their hand.