The Dallas Cowboys face yet another hurdle with the likes of kicker Brandon Aubrey.

Dallas has started the off-season in quite an enthusiastic way, but the problems keep increasing.

Dallas is currently $55 million over the cost cap, and they still need to restructure Dak Prescott’s contract and pay George Pickens about $28 million. Not only that, but they must figure out what to do with Brandon Aubrey.  

The one option that could have been used for Aubrey was the franchise tag. Unfortunately, that's a lost cause, as the Cowboys exercised it on WR George Pickens. The other option left in this situation would be placing a one-year tender on the kicker. 

The talks have been in place with Aubrey since the season started.

“It’s been a journey, but we haven’t been able to get to a point where we can all agree, so it hasn’t gotten done, but we’d love to get him done,” said Stephen Jones, the executive Vice President for the Cowboys. 

Aubrey is a restricted free agent this offseason. Placing a one-year tender will mean that no one comes after one of the most accurate kickers in recent times. 

The value of that one-year deal is about $8 million. However, it's still not close to the NFL-record offer requested by Aubrey’s agent, which is close to $10 million. 

In 2025, Aubrey converted 86% of his field goals with a season-long of 64 yards. Nonetheless, the bigger question remains as to where the three-time Pro Bowler will play his football next season.  

The Free Agent Kickers Dallas could go after

There is a possibility that Dallas enters the 2026 NFL season without Brandon Aubrey. While the Cowboys are optimistic that a deal can be struck, in this business, anything can happen. 

Going into the 2026 NFL season, these are some of the best available kickers on the free agency market. 

Nick Folk, who played for the New York Jets, went 28-29 on field goals and 22-22 on extra points (XPs) and had a season-long of 58 yards. The only hurdle here is that Folk is 41, while Aubrey is 10 years his junior. 

Daniel Carson could be another option. The kicker spent last season in Las Vegas, going 22-27 from field goals and 21-22 on XPs while having a season-long of 60 yards.

Kicker Jate Bates, who spent his last season in Detroit. 27-34 on field goals, 54-56 on XPs, and a season-long of 64 yards. 

Finally, Eddy Pinero, who was called in by the 49ers after the season started to replace Jake Moody. He made 28-29 of his field goals, only 24-38 XPs, and a season-long of 59 yards. That extra point conversion does not look good for Pinero. 

Who do you think will be the Dallas Cowboys' kicker in the upcoming NFL season? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Kalp Thaker