In a move designed to protect one of their most valuable assets, the Dallas Cowboys have officially placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey. The move, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, ensures that the Cowboys maintain control over the league's most accurate distance threat while they work toward a more permanent solution. The Brandon Aubrey tender is valued at approximately $5.7 million for the 2025 season, a significant figure for the kicking position that reflects Aubrey’s meteoric rise to stardom.
Understanding the Brandon Aubrey Tender and Its Impact
By placing a second-round tender on Aubrey, the Cowboys have created a significant deterrent for any other NFL team looking to poach the standout specialist. Under the rules of the restricted free agency (RFA) system, another team could still theoretically sign Aubrey to an offer sheet. However, if the Cowboys chose not to match that offer, the signing team would be forced to surrender a second-round draft pick to Dallas as compensation.
For a kicker, a second-round price tag is exceptionally high. Most teams are unwilling to part with such a premium draft asset for a specialist, effectively locking Aubrey into the Cowboys' roster for the upcoming season. This tactical move gives Dallas the leverage they need to keep their special teams unit intact while navigating a complex salary cap situation involving other high-profile stars.
A Record-Breaking Rise to Stardom
The decision to utilize such a high tender on a kicker is a testament to Aubrey’s unprecedented impact on the field. Since joining the Cowboys, the former professional soccer player and USFL standout has transformed into a reliable weapon for head coach Mike McCarthy. Aubrey’s ability to connect on field goals from beyond 50 and even 60 yards has fundamentally changed how the Dallas offense approaches the scoring zone.
As a Pro Bowler, Aubrey has established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. His consistency during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns provided the Cowboys with a safety net that few teams in the NFL possess. In a league where games are frequently decided by three points or less, having a kicker with Aubrey’s range and accuracy is often the difference between a postseason berth and an early exit. The $5.7 million investment represents the team's acknowledgment that Aubrey is no longer just a developmental project, but an elite performer at his position.
The Path Toward a Multiyear Extension
While the Brandon Aubrey tender secures his services for the immediate future, the Cowboys have larger plans in mind. Sources indicate that Dallas is actively hoping to sign Aubrey to a multiyear extension rather than having him play out the season on the one-year tender. A long-term deal would likely provide Aubrey with more guaranteed money and a higher total contract value while allowing the Cowboys to spread the salary cap hit over several years.
Securing Aubrey long-term is a high priority for the front office. By moving toward an extension, the Cowboys can avoid the year-to-year uncertainty of the RFA process and ensure that their kicking game remains a position of strength for the foreseeable future. Negotiations are expected to continue throughout the offseason as both sides look for a middle ground that reflects Aubrey’s status as one of the premier kickers in professional football.
Stability in the Special Teams Unit
The Cowboys' special teams have undergone various transitions over the last few seasons, but Aubrey has provided a sense of calm and reliability. His path to the NFL—transitioning from a defender in Major League Soccer to a dominant force in the NFL—is one of the most unique stories in the league today. By placing this tender, Dallas is ensuring that this success story continues in a Cowboys uniform.
As the NFL offseason progresses, the Brandon Aubrey tender stands as one of the first major housekeeping moves for a Dallas team that remains in a "win-now" window. With their kicker situation seemingly resolved, the front office can now turn its attention to other pressing roster needs, knowing that the uprights are in capable hands.
Sources & Original Reporting
