The Dallas Cowboys have made one thing abundantly clear heading into the 2026 offseason: they have no intention of allowing kicker Brandon Aubrey to walk out the door without a fight.

According to reporting from The Dallas Morning News, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that the organization has been engaged in ongoing discussions regarding a long-term extension for the All-Pro-caliber specialist.

Jones emphasized that the franchise has been actively exchanging offers with Aubrey’s representatives, signaling a clear priority to secure the league’s most reliable kicker before he has any opportunity to test outside interest.

“We’ve been working on a long-term deal for some time,” Jones said, underscoring that the front office’s intention is not reactive but rather a continuation of steady negotiations already in motion.

“We’ve exchanged offers and the goal is to get him signed,” Jones continued, reinforcing that Dallas views Aubrey as a foundational piece of its special teams unit rather than a replaceable asset.

Importantly, Jones also revealed that the Cowboys are prepared to use the restricted free agent tender system as leverage if an agreement is not finalized before the deadline.

“We’ll tender him before the deadline if that’s what we have to decide,” Jones explained, outlining a contingency plan that would make it extremely difficult for another franchise to pry Aubrey away.

For context, Aubrey is not an unrestricted free agent, meaning he does not have complete freedom to negotiate and sign elsewhere without Dallas retaining certain rights.

As a restricted free agent, the Cowboys can place either a first-round or second-round tender on Aubrey, effectively attaching draft compensation to any external offer sheet he might receive.

If another team were to negotiate a deal with Aubrey under that structure, Dallas would retain the right of first refusal and could match the contract terms to keep him in Arlington.

Should the Cowboys decline to match the offer, the team that signs Aubrey would be required to send Dallas its corresponding draft pick, either a first- or second-round selection depending on the tender used.

In practical terms, that mechanism makes it highly unlikely that another franchise would aggressively pursue Aubrey, given the steep draft capital cost attached to acquiring a kicker.

While Aubrey’s performance justifies elite compensation at his position, surrendering premium draft assets for a specialist remains a significant deterrent across the league.

That leverage strengthens Dallas’ negotiating position, but the organization clearly prefers not to let discussions escalate to the point of formal tender complications.

Aubrey’s value to the Cowboys cannot be overstated, as he has quickly developed into one of the most dependable and explosive kickers in the NFL.

His leg strength, consistency beyond 50 yards, and calm demeanor under pressure have provided Dallas with a scoring security blanket that changes late-game strategy.

Coaches can confidently attempt long-range field goals rather than forcing fourth-down conversions, altering game management decisions in high-leverage moments.

That reliability has transformed special teams from a potential weakness into a weekly advantage, something contending teams rarely take for granted.

The Cowboys understand that replacing such consistency is neither simple nor guaranteed, particularly when elite kicking accuracy can swing playoff outcomes.

Notably, Dallas recently finalized terms with running back Javonte Williams, clearing financial and roster space to intensify negotiations with Aubrey.

With that transaction completed, the focus of the front office has pivoted squarely toward locking down its kicker before free agency dynamics complicate matters.

The Cowboys have demonstrated in recent seasons that they prefer proactive extensions rather than reactive negotiations once deadlines loom.

Last year, Dallas managed to reach an agreement with KaVontae Turpin before restricted free agency escalated, avoiding unnecessary tender drama.

Similarly, the team secured defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa ahead of unrestricted free agency, illustrating a consistent philosophy of minimizing roster uncertainty.

Those precedents suggest that Aubrey’s situation is less about whether a deal will be reached and more about when the final agreement materializes.

From a cap-management perspective, structuring a long-term contract now could provide Dallas with flexibility in future seasons, spreading out guaranteed money and preserving maneuverability.

For Aubrey, securing a multiyear commitment would provide financial stability while affirming his status as one of the premier specialists in the league.

Kickers rarely dominate offseason headlines, yet Aubrey’s performance has elevated his market perception into rare territory.

His range has forced opponents to reconsider defensive strategy near midfield, knowing that even modest offensive drives can result in scoring opportunities.

That type of weapon alters field position battles and reduces the margin for error for opposing offenses, especially in tight divisional contests.

Stephen Jones’ comments indicate that the Cowboys are fully aware of the strategic ripple effects tied to retaining Aubrey.

Allowing negotiations to drag unnecessarily would introduce avoidable tension into an otherwise stable roster structure.

By signaling their willingness to apply a first- or second-round tender, Dallas has essentially declared that Aubrey will not depart without significant compensation.

However, the front office would undoubtedly prefer to avoid the optics and procedural complications of the tender process entirely.

In a perfect scenario, a long-term deal is signed well before free agency chatter intensifies, eliminating uncertainty for both player and organization.

For now, the situation appears procedural rather than contentious, with both sides exchanging offers and maintaining communication.

There is no indication of hostility or stalled discussions, only the natural cadence of contract negotiations involving high-performing players.

From the Cowboys’ perspective, this is a matter of finalizing details rather than debating value.

Brandon Aubrey has proven his worth through performance, reliability, and the rare ability to shift game plans through leg strength alone.

Given the franchise’s recent history of beating contract deadlines, there is little reason to believe this case will end differently.

Ultimately, Dallas’ public stance leaves minimal ambiguity: Aubrey is part of the long-term vision, and the team is prepared to protect that investment through every available mechanism.

The only remaining variable is timing.

As you were.