The market for elite kickers in the NFL continues to grow, and Dallas Cowboys standout Brandon Aubrey is paying close attention.
Aubrey, a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL‘s most accurate long-range kickers, is entering restricted free agency after his three-year rookie contract expired at the end of the 2025 season.
The Cowboys, intent on keeping him in place, placed a second-round tender on him that carries a one-year, approximately $5.76 million salary and the potential for Dallas to receive a second-round pick if they were to let him sign elsewhere.
For a player who has made 112 of his 127 career field-goal tries and launched multiple kicks of 60 yards or more, that tender is a significant raise from his previous compensation, but Aubrey has signaled that his aspirations go beyond a one-year arrangement.
“It’s a good amount of money and it’s a big pay raise from before, but it’s not the ideal for any player,” Aubrey said recently, addressing the tender and contract talks. “I’m excited to be in this position. It’s an opportunity for me … so I’m thankful for that.”
Since emerging as the Cowboys‘ primary kicker, Aubrey has built a reputation for accuracy, composure, and impressive leg strength. Those qualities have helped solidify his role as one of the most dependable weapons on Dallas‘ roster.
The rising value of elite NFL kickers
Across the league, front offices have begun recognizing just how critical a dependable kicker can be. With games frequently coming down to late-game drives and clutch field-goal attempts, specialists are no longer viewed as easily replaceable pieces. Instead, they’ve become strategic assets.
The recent record-setting contract for another NFL kicker reflects that shift.
Teams are increasingly willing to commit significant money to players who can consistently convert long kicks and handle pressure situations. For someone like Aubrey, those developments could eventually play a role in his own future negotiations.
Still, the Cowboys kicker has largely maintained a team-first approach when discussing the topic publicly. Rather than focusing on personal financial goals, Aubrey has emphasized his desire to continue contributing to the team’s success. That attitude has made him a fan favorite in Dallas.
If Aubrey continues delivering clutch kicks and maintaining his strong performance level, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name mentioned in future contract discussions. For now, however, Aubrey appears focused on the immediate goal: helping the Cowboys win games.
But as the value of elite kickers continues to rise across the NFL, it’s clear that specialists like Aubrey are becoming more important-and more valuable-than ever before.
