The ballroom in Phoenix felt like any other league meeting, but one conversation stood out. Jerry Jones didn’t hesitate when asked about Brandon Aubrey. The Dallas Cowboys owner made it clear the team has already put a serious offer on the table, one that could change how kickers are paid across the NFL.
This isn’t just early offseason noise. Dallas is actively working toward a long-term deal that could make Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in league history, while still keeping a $5.76 million one-year tender as a backup plan.
For a while, Aubrey’s contract wasn’t the loudest storyline around the Cowboys. But inside the building, it has become one of the most important.
Shedeur Sanders gets strong defense from Emmitt Smith, who questions the NFL’s treatment of him
The team placed a second-round tender on him at the start of the new league year. That gives Dallas control over the process. If another team makes an offer, the Cowboys can match it. If they don’t, they receive a second-round pick.
Still, everything points to Dallas wanting to avoid that scenario. The goal is to keep Aubrey long-term and reward what he has become for this team.
Speaking during the NFL owners meetings, Jones praised both the player and the trajectory. According to ESPN, he described Aubrey as “outstanding” and emphasized that the offer reflects what he brings to the roster. Reports from NBC Sports have echoed that same direction for weeks.
The numbers that changed the conversation
Aubrey’s production makes this decision easier to understand.
He went 36-of-42 on field goals last season, including a 64-yard kick, and converted 47 of 48 extra points. He finished with 155 total points, placing him among the league’s top scorers.
That kind of consistency doesn’t show up often. Since arriving from the USFL, Aubrey has stacked All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections, quickly turning into one of the most reliable players on the roster.
For a position that usually flies under the radar financially, his performance is forcing a different conversation.
Why the league is paying attention
Around the NFL, teams are watching how this plays out.
Kickers rarely headline contract discussions, but recent seasons have shown how critical they can be in close games. A dependable leg can swing outcomes in ways that don’t always show up in headlines.
If Dallas follows through with a record-setting deal, it could push other teams to rethink how they value top-tier specialists. Not every kicker will benefit, but the ceiling could move.
Where things stand right now
At this point, both sides have options.
Dallas has already made a strong offer and still holds leverage with the tender. Aubrey, on the other hand, has performance, consistency, and timing on his side.
The expectation is that talks will pick up as the offseason moves forward, especially as roster decisions tighten closer to training camp.
Whether it ends with a historic contract or a short-term solution, the message from the Cowboys is clear. They see Aubrey as more than a specialist. They see him as part of the foundation.
Sources: Based on public comments from Jerry Jones during the NFL owners meetings, with supporting reporting from ESPN and NBC Sports. All statistics are derived from official NFL game data.
