In Indianapolis, the Dallas Cowboys are engaged in contract negotiations with Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey, centered on making him the highest-paid player at his position. The discussions hinge on the size of the contract, with Aubrey’s representatives aiming for a deal significantly above the current NFL record.
Current Contract Offer and Dispute Over Terms
The Cowboys have put forward a contract proposal that surpasses the existing top kicker salary, which is an average of $6.4 million annually earned by Kansas City’s Harrison Butker, according to sources familiar with the situation. Despite this offer, Aubrey’s agent, Todd France, is pushing for closer to $10 million per season, creating a gap that has stalled agreement.
The talks have been ongoing since last season but have yet to advance substantially. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones commented on the negotiations, saying,
“It’s been a journey, but we hadn’t been able to get to a point where we can all agree, so it hadn’t gotten done. But we’d love to get him done.”
Status of Aubrey’s Free Agency and Tender Prospects
Brandon Aubrey is approaching restricted free agency, and the Cowboys are expected to apply a second-round tender to retain negotiating rights, which would cost approximately $5.8 million. Given Aubrey entered the league as an undrafted free agent, the team’s options include placing a right-of-first-refusal tender, though this would not secure compensation if they chose not to match an offer from another team. Historically, very few restricted free agents have been traded with draft pick compensation, with Wes Welker’s 2007 move from Miami to New England being a rare example.
If the Cowboys apply the restricted free agent tender in 2026, the contract would cover only that year. However, they could deploy the franchise tag on Aubrey in 2027 to maintain control and delay his full free agency.
Aubrey’s Performance and Career Achievements
Turning 31 next month, Aubrey has already earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three NFL seasons, demonstrating elite performance. Notably, he has converted six field goals from 60 yards or farther, holding the NFL record for the most successful kicks of that distance. Last season, he made 11 field goals out of 17 attempts from 50 yards or longer.
Across his career, Aubrey has successfully completed 112 out of 127 field goal attempts, including a career-long 65-yard kick. In the 2025 season alone, he converted 36 of 42 field goals, with all six misses occurring from distances over 50 yards.
Implications of the Contract Talks for the Cowboys
The outcome of these negotiations will significantly influence the Cowboys’ salary structure for 2026 and beyond, particularly at a specialized and impactful position like kicker. Securing Aubrey with a record-setting contract would highlight the team’s commitment to retaining a top talent who consistently contributes to scoring and field position advantages. Conversely, failure to close a deal could introduce uncertainty about their options in the upcoming free agency period.
With strong performances underpinning Aubrey’s case, and the franchise’s expressed desire to keep him, these talks will remain closely watched by NFL insiders and Cowboys fans alike as the offseason progresses.
