FRISCO, Texas — Aiming to ink an extended agreement with standout placekicker Brandon Aubrey, the Dallas Cowboys have put forth a $5.7 million second-round tender for the restricted free agent, a confidential informant conveyed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter this past Saturday.
Should another squad secure Aubrey through an offer sheet and the Cowboys opt against matching, a second-round draft selection would be granted to them. At present, the Cowboys lack a second-round selection for the 2026 draft as a result of the deal for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Addressing the media at the scouting combine, proprietor and general manager Jerry Jones stated the organization has presented a proposal that would establish Aubrey as the top-earning placekicker in the NFL. Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs currently holds the title of the highest-paid kicker, earning $6.4 million annually.
Informants indicated that the Cowboys’ proposal averaged near $7 million, while Aubrey’s representative, Todd France, has sought an amount closer to $10 million annually. Discussions commenced last summer during training camp yet have seen no advancement.
“It has been a lengthy process,” executive vice president Stephen Jones remarked from the combine location, “however, we’ve yet to reach a mutually agreeable resolution, consequently, it remains unfinalized. Nonetheless, we aspire to complete his deal.”
Wes Welker was the sole restricted free agent who departed a squad in exchange for a second-round selection, eventually transferred from the Miami Dolphins to the New England Patriots in 2007 in exchange for second- and seventh-round selections.
Even though the restricted free agent offer would secure Aubrey’s services for merely 2026, the Cowboys possess the option to apply the franchise tag to him in 2027, thereby successfully preventing his entry into the free agent pool.
Approaching his 31st birthday next week, Aubrey has earned Pro Bowl honors in all three of his initial seasons. He holds the NFL record for most field goals made from 60 yards or beyond, totaling six. During the previous season, he succeeded on 11 of 17 field goal tries from distances of 50 yards or greater.
Throughout his professional tenure, he has successfully converted 112 out of 127 field goal attempts, including a personal best of 65 yards. During the 2025 season, he completed 36 of 42 attempts, with all six missed attempts occurring from 51 yards or farther.