It was a pleasant surprise to see the Dallas Cowboys extend Javonte Williams before he could test the open market.
This front office doesn’t usually move with that kind of urgency, and it reportedly wants to lock up star kicker Brandon Aubrey before free agency, too. However, what was expected to be a relatively straightforward negotiation could turn adversarial in a hurry.
Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys have made Aubrey an offer that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid kicker. The Chiefs’ Harrison Butker currently holds that distinction at $6.4 million per year in average annual value.
Seems more than reasonable on Dallas' part. However, Aubrey's agent, Todd France, is seeking a deal closer to $10 million per season, according to Archer.
If that reporting is accurate, trading Aubrey should absolutely be on the table. While Aubrey is a unicorn at the position, it'd be terrible business to enter a leverage standoff with a kicker.
The Dallas Cowboys should consider trading Brandon Aubrey if his contract demands are true
A line has to be drawn somewhere. The Cowboys have already shown a willingness to make Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in the league, but venturing into the $10 million per year range would be impossible to justify.
While Aubrey may be the best pound-for-pound kicker in the NFL, kicking across the league has never been stronger. You could argue that the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker is just as reliable. Aubrey might have the biggest leg in football, but the gap between him and the rest of the position has narrowed since his groundbreaking rookie season in 2023.
Among 26 kickers who attempted at least 20 field goals last season, Aubrey's 85.7 percent conversion rate ranked 15th, per Pro Football Reference, and he was only 11-of-17 on kicks beyond 50 yards.
For context, he made 24 of 27 attempts from 50 yards or longer in his first two seasons. And his conversion rate over the last two seasons sits at 85.4 percent after he made 94.7 percent of his kicks as a rookie. He remains a weapon, but the regression is undeniable.
Replacing that production wouldn't be easy, but the Cowboys absolutely cannot cave to France's demands.
Archer added that Dallas is likely to place the second-round tender on Aubrey, which would cost roughly $5.8 million. If another team signs him to an offer sheet and the Cowboys choose not to match it, Dallas would receive a second-round pick as compensation.
Aubrey could remain with the Cowboys on the restricted free agent tender, giving Dallas the option to use the franchise tag next year and prevent him from reaching unrestricted free agency.
That’s one path forward, but the Cowboys must keep every option open. Committing $10 million annually to a kicker would be a bridge too far.