Cowboys K Brandon Aubrey opens up about 'not ideal' contract situation

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones excited fans of the franchise when he said that he "would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have." 

That said, there's no indication that Jones is all that close to signing Brandon Aubrey to a contract carrying the value the placekicker desires. 

Brandon Aubrey: Being restricted free agent is not "ideal"

As Kevin Patra of the NFL's website mentioned, Aubrey is a restricted free agent set to make roughly $5.81M for the 2026 season while on the second-round tender. During a Wednesday conversation with Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News, Aubrey seemed to express frustration regarding the fact that his long-term services haven't yet been locked down by Jones. 

"Obviously, the tender is what the Cowboys have talked about, and it’s a good problem to have," Aubrey explained. "It’s a good amount of money, and it’s a big pay raise from before, but it’s not the ideal for any player. We’ll see what happens. I’m excited to be in this position. It’s an opportunity for me...so I’m thankful for that." 

Aubrey is a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time All-Pro selection who is respected for having one of the league's biggest legs. As Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams shared, the 30-year-old has made an NFL-record six field goals from 60 yards or longer.

Per league rules, the Cowboys can match any deal Aubrey receives once the "legal tampering" portion of free agency gets underway at noon ET on March 9. If Dallas doesn't match, the club would receive a second-round draft choice in return for losing Aubrey. 

Brandon Aubrey wants to test the market

According to Hoyt, Aubrey's camp is looking to ink a deal worth $10M per season. Thus far, the Cowboys have offered a contract with an annual average value worth under $7M per year. 

"When you hit that restricted free agency, if you’re not testing the market, then you’re not doing what’s right for you and your family,” Aubrey added. "So you have to do that, if that’s what it comes to."

History suggests the Cowboys won't let Aubrey walk, but it nevertheless will be interesting to see how much he earns via his next deal.