In April, it became clear a quartet of players were seen as priorities for second contracts with the Cowboys. Guard Tyler Smith, cornerback DaRon Bland, tight end Jake Ferguson and kicker Brandon Aubrey were identified as candidates for new deals.
Since then, each of Smith, Bland and Ferguson have inked new deals. Aubrey thus represents the next item on the to-do list regarding an extension. If anything, his market value increased in Week 2 with a game-tying field goal from 64 yards out. Aubrey wound up winning the game in overtime with a 46-yard kick, adding further to his track record of success and showcasing his importance to Dallas.
To little surprise, then, a long-term commitment could be in store soon. During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, COO Stephen Jones confirmed the Cowboys are still interested in extending Aubrey. One year remains on his rookie contract, and as a former UDFA he is currently on course for restricted free agency.
“He certainly is coming,” Jones said of a new Aubrey contract (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). “We’ll be looking at that. Probably have had communications since the kick. But he’s certainly in the future.”
Aubrey’s professional career began in Major League Soccer, but he quickly found success after transitioning to football. A two-year run in the USFL resulted in an opportunity with the Cowboys, and the 30-year-old has enjoyed a highly impressive tenure in the NFL. Aubrey has earned a Pro Bowl nod during each of his first two Dallas campaigns; he was on the first All-Pro team in 2023 and received a place on the second team last year.
With a success rate of 90.1% on his field goal tries (including a mark of 27 for 30 from 50 yards and beyond), Aubrey has a strong case to become the league’s top earner at the kicker position. Harrison Butker currently leads the way with an average of $6.4MM per year. Jake Elliott is the only other kicker attached to an AAV of $6MM.
Aubrey could very well reach or surpass that mark on a new Cowboys contract. Dallas’ extensions for Bland and fullback Hunter Luepke were finalized shortly before the start of the regular season, while the Smith pact was signed after the campaign had begun. Given the team’s willingness to negotiate in-season, an Aubrey agreement could be in store at any time.