Cowboys Kicker Brandon Aubrey ‘Likely’ to Receive Second-Round Tender, Easing Contract Uncertainty
The Dallas Cowboys appear set to retain one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers. Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys’ standout placekicker and a three-time All-Pro honoree, is “likely” to receive a second-round restricted free agent tender from Dallas this offseason, according to league sources. The move would help keep him in Dallas for the 2026 season and potentially pave the way for a long-term contract negotiation.
What a Second-Round Tender Means
Under NFL rules, a second-round tender gives the Cowboys the right to match any offer sheet Aubrey might receive from another team — and if they decline, they would receive a second-round draft pick as compensation. The tender is projected to be worth just over $6 million for the 2026 season, a substantial raise from his previous deal and one that would make him one of the higher-paid kickers in the league.
Reports indicate that initial discussions for a long-term contract between Aubrey and Dallas stalled last summer, but that negotiations could resume now that the free-agency window is approaching. If an extension comes together, it could potentially push his average annual value (AAV) toward ~$7.5 million, which would surpass the current top market figures for NFL kickers.
Why Aubrey Is Worth It
Aubrey has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most effective kickers since joining the Cowboys. He has earned multiple All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in each of his first three NFL seasons, reflecting both his accuracy and his impact on the Cowboys’ scoring.
In the 2025 season, Aubrey connected on 85.7 % of his field-goal attempts and booted a 64-yard field goal, underlining both his range and consistency — the type of performance that encourages teams to lock up elite special-team talent.
With his role as a key contributor on Dallas’ roster, team officials appear motivated to keep him around, even if contract negotiations drag into the free-agency period. A second-round tender ensures that Aubrey remains under Dallas’ control for the 2026 season, while also giving the team time to explore a longer-term deal.