Dallas Cowboys placekicker Brandon Aubrey. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Cowboys face unexpected hurdle in Brandon Aubrey contract negotiations

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 6:12 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have plenty to sort out before the franchise-tag deadline hits, and it's not just about wide receiver George Pickens. All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey is another name on the list, and his situation is getting a bit complicated.

Aubrey falls under restricted free-agent status, which typically keeps players from walking out the door. Teams hold more cards in these scenarios. But that doesn't mean Dallas can just sit back and relax.

Executive Stephen Jones addressed the matter Monday, confirming the organization wants Aubrey back. The problem is that contract talks have hit a snag.

According to NFL insider Clarence Hill Jr., Dallas threw an offer on the table that would make Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in the league. But he is pushing for more money than what the Cowboys are willing to fork over right now, and that's where things stand.

The Cowboys have an offer on the table that would make Brandon Aubrey the highest paid kicker in the NFL, per source.
As of now he wants more than they offered. That’s partly why a deal has yet to be done
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 24, 2026

Brandon Aubrey has been a bright spot for the Cowboys

There's a reason Dallas is fighting to keep him around. Aubrey has been rock-solid since joining the team in 2023 at 28 years old. Last season didn't go the way the Cowboys hoped, but Aubrey kept doing his job.

He converted 36 of 42 field-goal tries for an 85.7 percent success rate and nailed 47 of 48 extra-point attempts. His 155 points accounted for a massive portion of the offense.

That consistency landed him his third Pro Bowl appearance and his second second-team All-Pro honor. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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