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Cowboys Kicker Contract Talks Hit a Wall

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, February 25th 2026 at 19:31 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: Texas, Alabama, UNITED STATES

Thursday, February 26th, 2026 - The Dallas Cowboys are facing a potentially significant offseason challenge as contract negotiations with star kicker Brandon Aubrey have reportedly hit a wall. The impasse, first reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, centers around a substantial gap in valuation between the team and Aubrey's representation, casting a shadow over the kicker's future in Dallas.

Aubrey quickly became a fan favorite and a critical component of the Cowboys' offensive success after unexpectedly taking the reins from Brett Maher during the 2024 season. Maher's struggles in the playoffs opened the door for Aubrey, who seized the opportunity, delivering a level of consistent performance rarely seen from kickers across the league. He's currently the second-highest scoring kicker in the league, a testament to his accuracy and reliability under pressure.

Now, as Aubrey approaches unrestricted free agency following the 2024 season, his strong play has understandably inflated his market value. His agent is rightfully seeking a contract that reflects his on-field contributions and perceived worth in a league where consistent kicking can be the difference between winning and losing. However, the Cowboys are known for their conservative approach to contracts, particularly for specialists.

This hesitancy is rooted in the historical volatility of the kicker position. While Aubrey has demonstrably proven his worth, the Cowboys, like many teams, view kickers as inherently less predictable than other positions. Injuries, slumps, and even changes in weather conditions can drastically impact a kicker's performance, making long-term, lucrative deals a perceived risk. The Cowboys have likely seen other teams overpay for kickers who subsequently experienced a decline, contributing to their cautious stance. Several high-profile kicking busts in recent NFL history serve as cautionary tales - players who received significant contracts only to falter under the pressure and fail to justify their price tags. This creates a conflict; the Cowboys recognize Aubrey's current value, but are reluctant to guarantee a substantial sum over multiple years based on the inherent uncertainty of the position.

The current situation forces the Cowboys to confront a broader question: how much should a team invest in a specialist? The league has seen a growing trend towards recognizing the importance of special teams, with coaches dedicating more resources and attention to the unit. However, the financial rewards haven't necessarily kept pace. While star quarterbacks and pass rushers routinely command massive contracts, the top kickers generally receive a fraction of that amount. This disparity is partly due to the perceived lower impact of the position, but also because the pool of capable kickers is often deeper than at other positions, creating more competition and suppressing salaries.

The Cowboys' negotiation strategy will likely revolve around structuring a deal that balances rewarding Aubrey for his performance with mitigating the risk associated with a long-term commitment. This could involve a shorter contract with larger guaranteed money, or a deal with performance-based incentives. The team might also explore a franchise tag as a temporary solution, buying them time to further evaluate Aubrey's trajectory and potentially negotiate a more favorable long-term deal. However, tagging Aubrey could further strain the relationship and potentially push him towards exploring other opportunities in free agency.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that other teams will undoubtedly be interested in Aubrey's services. Several franchises are known to have kicking inconsistencies and will view Aubrey as a potential upgrade. This competition will drive up his price and could ultimately force the Cowboys to make a difficult decision: meet Aubrey's demands or risk losing a valuable asset to a division rival.

Ultimately, the resolution of this contract dispute will not only determine Aubrey's future with the Cowboys but also serve as a litmus test for how the team values specialist positions in the modern NFL. The coming weeks will be crucial as both sides attempt to bridge the gap and find a mutually acceptable agreement. A failure to do so could result in a significant loss for the Cowboys' special teams unit and a potentially costly addition to another team's roster.