Dallas Cowboys Place Second-Round Tender on Brandon Aubrey: What It Means for the All-Pro Kicker’s Future
In a surprising development that has sparked major discussion across the league, the Dallas Cowboys have placed a second-round tender on star kicker Brandon Aubrey. The move, valued at $5.76 million for the 2026 season, could significantly impact Aubrey’s long-term future with the franchise despite his remarkable success over the past three years.
The news was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, who revealed that the Cowboys’ decision gives Aubrey the ability to negotiate with other teams while still protecting Dallas’ interests.
Schefter reported that if Aubrey signs an offer sheet with another team, the Cowboys would have the right to match the deal. If they choose not to match it, the team signing Aubrey would have to send a second-round draft pick to Dallas as compensation.
This tender strategy places Aubrey in a complicated position. While he technically has the freedom to explore the market, the high compensation requirement makes it unlikely that many teams would pursue him aggressively.
Why the Cowboys Used a Second-Round Tender
The second-round tender functions as a strategic safeguard for the Cowboys. It ensures the team retains leverage while contract negotiations continue.
Reports suggest the two sides have been engaged in contract extension talks for months but have failed to reach an agreement. According to Todd Archer of ESPN, discussions stalled last summer and never truly regained momentum.
Both sides reportedly agree on one point: Aubrey deserves to be the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
However, the disagreement centers on how much higher that salary should be.
Dallas previously offered Aubrey a deal that would surpass the annual salary of Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, who currently earns around $6.4 million per year.
Aubrey’s representatives, however, reportedly pushed for a contract closer to $10 million annually, a figure that would shatter the current kicker salary market.
With both sides far apart financially, the Cowboys opted for the tender rather than committing to a long-term deal immediately.
Why the Tender Creates Pressure for Aubrey
While the tender protects Dallas, it also creates a challenging situation for Aubrey.
In theory, another team could sign him to an offer sheet. But in reality, surrendering a second-round draft pick for a kicker—no matter how elite—is extremely rare in the NFL.
Teams typically reserve high draft picks for premium positions such as quarterback, offensive tackle, pass rusher, or cornerback.
Because of that, many analysts believe the Cowboys’ move effectively limits Aubrey’s negotiating power.
If no team is willing to pay the draft compensation, Aubrey may ultimately have little choice but to play under the tender for the 2026 season or return to the negotiating table with Dallas.
Aubrey’s Historic Performance for Dallas
Despite the contract drama, Aubrey’s performance on the field has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Even during a disappointing 7-9-1 season for the Cowboys, Aubrey remained one of the most reliable players in the entire league.
In a Week 14 matchup against the Detroit Lions, Aubrey made NFL history by becoming the first player ever to hit three field goals from 55 yards or longer in a single game.
During that game, he successfully kicked field goals from:
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63 yards
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57 yards
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55 yards
The 63-yard kick drew particular attention because it matched the legendary distance once held by Tom Dempsey for nearly three decades.
Aubrey’s ability to consistently hit long-distance kicks has quickly turned him into one of the most feared special teams weapons in football.
A Record-Setting Start to an NFL Career
Aubrey’s career has already produced multiple historic milestones.
One of his most impressive achievements came when he became the first kicker in NFL history to make 100 field goals in his first three seasons.
His success from extreme distances has also stunned analysts.
In fact, Aubrey has already matched the number of 60-yard field goals made by all NFL kickers combined from 1960 to 2008.
His current record from that distance stands at 6-for-9 (66.7%), an astonishing level of accuracy compared to the historical mark of 6-for-82 (7.3%) before the modern era.
Because of that production, some analysts have even joked that Aubrey may be more valuable than several starting quarterbacks around the league.
From Soccer Prospect to NFL Superstar
Aubrey’s path to NFL stardom is one of the most unique journeys in professional sports.
Before becoming an elite kicker, he was a standout soccer player at University of Notre Dame.
His success on the field led to him being selected No. 21 overall in the 2021 MLS Draft by Toronto FC.
However, Aubrey eventually decided to change sports entirely.
Encouraged by his wife, he transitioned to American football and began training as a kicker. After several years of development, he joined the United States Football League and played for the Birmingham Stallions in 2022 and 2023.
His dominant performance there earned him an opportunity with the Cowboys in 2023—an opportunity he quickly turned into NFL stardom.
Could Aubrey Break the NFL’s Longest Field Goal Record?
Another reason Aubrey’s situation is attracting so much attention is his potential to break one of the most famous records in football.
The longest field goal in NFL history currently belongs to Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, who made a 66-yard kick in 2021.
Given Aubrey’s incredible leg strength, many believe he could eventually surpass that mark.
His consistent success from beyond 60 yards suggests he may be the most capable kicker yet of breaking the record.
What Happens Next?
The situation between Aubrey and the Cowboys now enters a critical phase.
Several outcomes remain possible:
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Aubrey signs the tender and plays the 2026 season under the $5.76 million deal.
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Another team submits an offer sheet, forcing Dallas to decide whether to match it.
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The Cowboys and Aubrey reach a long-term extension before the season begins.
At the moment, the most likely scenario appears to be Aubrey returning to Dallas under the tender while negotiations continue.
Still, the NFL offseason often delivers unexpected twists.
For now, one thing is certain: the Cowboys’ decision has intensified an already tense contract standoff, leaving fans wondering whether their record-breaking kicker will remain in Dallas for the long term—or eventually kick somewhere else.
