The latest chapter in the contract saga between the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey took an unexpected turn this week, as reports confirmed that the Cowboys have already offered a record-setting deal—yet the star kicker has rejected it while seeking an even bigger contract number.

The situation is surprising not because Aubrey wants to be paid like the NFL’s best kicker—he clearly is one—but because the Cowboys, a franchise long criticized for dragging their feet in negotiations, actually attempted to move early and decisively in locking down their elite specialist.

Dallas placed a substantial offer on the table, one that would surpass the current top salary at the position, which belongs to Harrison Butker, who earns $6.4 million annually with the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet Aubrey surprisingly declined, indicating he believes his value goes well beyond simply topping the existing market.

Veteran Cowboys beat reporter Clarence Hill noted that the team intended to make Aubrey the NFL’s highest-paid kicker, but that the 30-year-old is pushing for substantially more money, creating a financial divide that has stalled negotiations entirely.

Cowboys insider Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News added new details by revealing that Dallas offered Aubrey $7.5 million per year, a number far above every other kicker in the league yet still not close enough to satisfy Aubrey’s camp.

According to Watkins, Aubrey wants nearly $10 million annually, a staggering amount that would “obliterate” the existing kicker salary structure and firmly establish him as the most expensive specialist in football by a massive margin.

For a team still working to rebuild its defense, manage its cap and prepare for future contract extensions at premium positions, the difference between $7.5 million and $10 million is not small—it represents millions of cap dollars that could affect roster balance in multiple areas.

Still, Aubrey’s camp can make a compelling argument for his unprecedented valuation. For one, the NFL’s new kickoff rules have moved drives closer to scoring range, making high-level kickers more valuable than ever before in securing points without relying on deep drives.

Additionally, advancements in the “K-ball” formula and ball inflation standards have extended kicking distances across the league, giving kickers like Aubrey—already known for his cannon-like leg—even more opportunity to impact games from long range.

Aubrey has quickly risen from a former collegiate soccer player who found his way into the NFL through the USFL to a three-time first or second-team All-Pro selection whose consistency and power make him one of the Cowboys’ most underrated superstars.

His numbers tell the story. Aubrey has converted 112 of 127 field goals, achieving a level of accuracy rarely seen in NFL history through a kicker’s first three seasons, and he has been nearly perfect on extra points while thriving in high-pressure situations.

He also holds an NFL-record six field goals from 60 yards or longer, including a career-long 65-yard bomb that showcased his elite leg strength and highlighted why his camp believes a groundbreaking contract should reflect his extraordinary production.

While Aubrey possesses all the leverage that comes from being an irreplaceable talent, the Cowboys have considerable leverage of their own, mainly due to his restricted free agent status, which limits his ability to test the open market freely.

Watkins emphasized that Dallas can apply either a first-round tender ($8.107 million) or a second-round tender ($5.811 million), both of which offer Aubrey significant raises while giving the Cowboys the ability to match external offers or receive premium draft compensation.

Those tender options provide Dallas with a form of financial and strategic insulation, allowing them to retain their standout kicker for the 2026 season regardless of whether long-term negotiations continue to stall throughout the offseason.

Aubrey has made just $2.6 million across his entire three-year career—a shockingly low number given his elite performance—which makes these negotiations especially important from a long-term earnings standpoint as he begins the latter phase of his athletic prime.

Despite turning 30, Aubrey’s minimal football mileage works in his favor. Because he began his career later than typical kickers, his body has endured far less wear-and-tear, giving him a potentially longer runway of elite performance compared to his peers.

The Cowboys, however, remain cautious. They recognize Aubrey’s greatness, but they also understand that committing nearly $10 million annually to a kicker could create ripple effects across the roster, particularly when larger negotiations loom with premium-position superstars.

At the same time, Dallas has struggled for years with kicker inconsistency, cycling through less reliable options before striking gold with Aubrey. Losing him—or even creating tension—could destabilize a part of the team they’ve finally locked down securely.

The franchise also recognizes that Aubrey’s story is one of the NFL’s most remarkable ascents, transitioning from MLS soccer and spring football to becoming the most efficient kicker in the league under the brightest of NFL spotlights.

For now, the Cowboys continue to express optimism publicly. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones acknowledged the stalemate but stated clearly that the team still wants a deal done and believes both sides will eventually find common ground.

Jones’ comments suggest that the Cowboys are willing to negotiate but unwilling to allow the kicker market to be reset to such a drastic degree, especially given the roster-building challenges already looming in other areas of the team.

The leaked contract numbers create additional public pressure, both on Aubrey to consider compromise and on the Cowboys to justify holding firm if negotiations drag on into the summer and into training camp.

Aubrey’s unique production, age profile, and historical output make him a unicorn at the kicker position—an asset the Cowboys clearly want to retain but must also value responsibly in the broader framework of team economics.

Whether the Cowboys increase their offer or whether Aubrey softens his stance will define how this story evolves in the coming weeks, but one thing remains undeniable: Dallas is not planning to let their All-Pro kicker walk.

Even without a long-term deal, tenders ensure Aubrey will remain in Dallas in 2026, yet the greater question is how long the Cowboys can avoid a financial middle ground before the negotiation becomes a distraction to both sides.

As the offseason continues, all eyes remain on one of the most compelling and unusual contract battles in the NFL—a negotiation that could redefine how kickers are valued league-wide and reshape the financial market for specialists for years to come.