In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys have delivered what many are calling bad news to their star kicker, three-time All-Pro Brandon Aubrey. The team has opted to place a second-round tender worth $5.76 million on Aubrey, a decision that could jeopardize his long-term future and financial security with the franchise.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who broke the news on his official X account on Saturday, “Cowboys have given the second-round, $5.76 million tender to kicker Brandon Aubrey, per source. 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.”

This tender essentially acts as a trump card for the Cowboys, putting immense pressure on Aubrey amid stalled contract negotiations. Sources indicate that the Cowboys had previously offered him a deal that would have made him the highest-paid kicker in the league, surpassing the $6.4 million annual salary of Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker. However, Aubrey’s camp pushed for a figure closer to $10 million per year, leading to a deadlock.

ESPN’s Todd Archer reported on Friday that “Contract extension talks stalled last summer and never really picked up (with Aubrey). 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).”

The move is seen as a harsh reality check for Aubrey, as it’s highly unlikely any other team would forfeit a valuable second-round draft pick to sign a kicker—no matter how elite. By rejecting the Cowboys’ generous offer, Aubrey may have inadvertently boxed himself into a corner, potentially costing him millions in the long run.

Brandon Aubrey’s Historic 2025 Season Amid Team Struggles

Despite the off-field drama, Aubrey’s on-field performance remains unparalleled. Even as the Cowboys stumbled to a disappointing 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs for the second straight year, Aubrey etched his name into NFL history books.

In a Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions, he became the first player ever to nail three field goals from 55 yards or longer in a single game, connecting from 63, 57, and 55 yards—accounting for three of his five successful kicks that day.

Aubrey also set another milestone by becoming the first kicker to make 100 field goals in his first three NFL seasons.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer captured the moment on X: “Brandon Aubrey just casually knocking a 63-yarder thru. That was Tom Dempsey’s record distance that stood alone for 28 years.”

Kalshi Sports echoed the sentiment on their X account: “Brandon Aubrey might be more valuable than many NFL QBs.”

And Sports! writer Rodger Sherman highlighted Aubrey’s dominance: “In his 3 NFL seasons, Brandon Aubrey has as many career 60-yard field goals (6-for-9, 66.7%) as every NFL kicker from 1960 to 2008 (6-for-82, 7.3%).”

From MLS Draft Pick to NFL Sensation

Aubrey’s journey to NFL stardom is as remarkable as his kicking prowess. An All-American soccer player at Notre Dame, he was selected as the No. 21 overall pick by Toronto FC in the 2021 MLS Draft. But in 2019, at his wife’s encouragement, he made the bold switch to American football.

After three years of dedicated training, Aubrey joined the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, showcasing his talent before landing with the Cowboys in 2023.

Now, Aubrey is on the cusp of shattering even more records, including potentially eclipsing Justin Tucker’s 66-yard field goal from 2021 as the longest in NFL history.

As the dust settles on this bombshell tender, all eyes are on Aubrey and the Cowboys. Will he sign the tender and play out the 2026 season, or could an unexpected suitor emerge? One thing is certain: this development has added fuel to the fire in what was already a tense negotiation, leaving fans wondering if Dallas’ star kicker will stay or seek greener pastures elsewhere.