It wouldn't be a Dallas Cowboys offseason without contract theatrics. While they typically have blood spattered all over their hands, they don't carry a shred of blame in the Brandon Aubrey standoff.
Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reported that the Cowboys offered Aubrey a contract that would've made him the NFL's highest-paid kicker. Aubrey's agent, Todd France, reportedly rejected it and countered by asking for a deal close to $10 million per year.
Well, this saga took another turn on Wednesday evening when France seemingly refuted the report, posting a video on Instagram of the Jerry Bus with the following caption:
“The NFL combine…where misinformation spreads like wildfire. Looking forward to my meeting with the Cowboys on the bus."
Recent Instagram post from Todd France, agent for Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey pic.twitter.com/CyYJl6whRs
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 26, 2026
Brandon Aubrey's agent, Todd France, denies asking $10 million for Dallas Cowboys kicker
A report from ESPN alleged that the Cowboys offered a deal worth $7.5 million per year. However, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported late Wednesday that, "those reports have not been corroborated by people with knowledge of the situation."
It's difficult to delineate what is factual or not. That's not to say that any of the publications mentioned were given false information, but France's point about the NFL Combine being a smokescreen farm certainly holds some weight.
With agents and team executives gathered in Indianapolis for the week, misinformation is practically part of the business model.
At the same time, Stephen Jones labeled the negotiations with Aubrey a “journey,” suggesting the sides aren't aligned. Maybe becoming the highest-paid kicker in NFL history isn’t enough for the All-Pro. He’d have to clear $6.4 million per year to claim that title.
Aubrey is one of the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean Dallas should cave to his demands. If this standoff climbs north of $7 million per year, the Cowboys should place the second-round tender on him, which is projected at $5.8 million, and revisit the conversation next offseason.
This same personnel department was able to find Brett Maher and Greg Zuerlein. Neither proved to be the long-term solution, but both had long stretches where they carried their weight. Replacing Aubrey wouldn't be as hard as some are making it out to be.
Hopefully, this saga gets resolved in one way or another so that the Cowboys can turn their attention to George Pickens.