Brandon Aubrey updates contract negotiations with Cowboys: ‘It’s an opportunity for me’

THE COLONY — Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey believes he’s the best kicker in the world. It’s a belief — a mantra, to use his words — that every elite athlete must possess.

Now, he hopes to be paid like it.

The Cowboys have yet to come to a contract extension with Aubrey, who has been an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in each of his first three NFL seasons. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said negotiations with Aubrey began before the start of last season. With less than a week until the free agency negotiation period ends, Aubrey, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned.

“It’s been a journey,” Jones said from the NFL scouting combine last week, “but we haven’t been able to get to a point where we can all agree. Haven’t gotten it done, but we’d love to get him done.”

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At that point, there was a significant gap between the sides. The Cowboys at one point had an offer to make Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, multiple people familiar with the negotiations told The Dallas Morning News. It would’ve eclipsed the deal for Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker ($6.4 million), but was under the $7 million threshold. It was also far from Aubrey’s agent Todd France’s request of $10 million.

Talks between the Cowboys and France resumed at the combine. While talks have been positive, they haven’t been enough to complete a deal.

The Cowboys plan to place a second-round tender on Aubrey, which is valued at $5.81 million, according to Spotrac. The Cowboys would have the chance to match any deal signed by Aubrey in free agency, or they would be entitled to a second-round pick if they decided not to match.

“Obviously the tender is what the Cowboys have talked about, and it’s a good problem to have,” Aubrey said Wednesday from the unveiling of the TOCA Social soccer home in The Colony. “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.”

Cowboys K Brandon Aubrey is here at the new TOCA Social soccer home in The Colony. He’s also less than a week from free agency (RFA).

He believes he’s the best kicker in the world — worth more than a 2nd round tender.

“[The tender] is a big pay raise … but it’s not ideal.” pic.twitter.com/0kL8abEKrm

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) March 4, 2026

And while the Cowboys are in a position to retain Aubrey, it doesn’t mean that Aubrey and France won’t be looking at the market when it opens Monday. When asked, Aubrey said his mind “has to” go to a place of potentially leaving the Cowboys as he prepares for his first free agency.

“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 said. “So you have to do that, if that’s what it comes to.”

Aubrey, a Plano High School alumnus, said he and his wife, Jenn, have discussed that possibility. They’re expecting their second child in late June. Aubrey reminded reporters in attendance for the TOCA Social opening that his first child was actually born when he and the Cowboys were in training camp in Oxnard, Calif.

Aubrey said the negotiation process has been a lot of waiting. He said he relies on France to handle the negotiations, adding that his agent has set the expectations for how things would go and that France has been “spot on.” Aubrey said that’s one of the reasons he switched his representation to France, who approached Aubrey about working together after Aubrey’s first season.

“He’s a world-class agent and he’s done a fantastic job for all his clients,” Aubrey said of France, who also negotiated extensions for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys have made it known they have a high appreciation for Aubrey. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said repeatedly that he has a lot of appreciation for Aubrey’s story: going from a first-round pick in the MLS Super Draft, to a software engineer, to a USFL kicker, and now a three-time All-Pro kicker for the Cowboys.

Coaches and other Cowboys front office members have deemed Aubrey a weapon with his ability to test the lengths of field goal distance and be accurate. Aubrey has made 112-of-127 kicks during his career, including a 65-yard field goal.

Aubrey is on the verge of cashing in on a big, new deal. So far he’s made $2,695,000 over three years, according to Spotrac. That averages to just above the league minimum.

Stephen Jones told CBS from the combine that he expects the Cowboys and Aubrey to get a deal done soon. Until then, Aubrey continues to wait.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.