Ex-Cowboys K Brett Maher lands with perfect team after playoff meltdown
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys' first practice of training camp is on Wednesday, and their kicker situation is anything but sorted.
That's no knock against Brandon Aubrey, the former USFL kicker the Cowboys signed earlier this month after going the entire offseason with Tristan Vizcaino as the only kicker on the roster. Of course, they signed Vizcaino as insurance after Brett Maher's historic playoff meltdown against the Buccaneers.
In other words, the team never really had full conviction in Vizcaino, who's attempted just 12 field goals and 20 extra points in his career.
It's expected that Aubrey will win the job at camp. If he doesn't, though, fans can expect Dallas to search far and wide for a replacement.
In the meantime, though, Vizcaino's place on the offseason roster appears safe. After all, the Cowboys can no longer pursue a reunion with Maher, who inked a one-year deal with the Broncos following a June tryout.
A person with knowledge of the signing confirms former Cowboys kicker Brett Maher will sign a one-year deal with Denver. Maher struggled toward end of 2022 season and that prompted Dallas not to bring him back. @dmn_cowboys
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 22, 2023
Former Cowboys K Brett Maher signs one-year deal with Broncos
This is a great landing spot for Maher. For starters, he kicked for Sean Payton with the Saints as recently as 2021. He only kicked in eight games, but was highly efficient, making 16-of-18 field goals and 10-of-12 extra points.
Having a familiar face at head coach should help Maher overcome whatever mental hurdles are unresolved following the 2022 playoffs.
It's also noteworthy that Maher is a true weapon from distance. His four fields made of 60 yards or longer are an NFL record. It stands to reason that Maher's leg strength will be accentuated by the thin air in Denver.
If Maher can rediscover some of the magic he found during the 2022 regular season, he could become a godsend for a Broncos offense that struggled finishing drives last year; Russell Wilson's first as the starting QB.
Source confirms Broncos have reached 1-year agreement with kicker Brett Maher. He kicked for Sean Payton with Saints in 2021. Had great season with Cowboys last year until extra-point yips in playoffs. Had minicamp tryout with Broncos in mid-June. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 22, 2023
Playoff yips aside, Maher was outstanding for most of last season. He made field goals at a 90.6 percent clip, which was good for 12th at the position. That percentage jumps to 96.7% (28-of-29) when you account for kicks inside 58 yards. That would've been the best percentage in the NFL.
Overall, Maher was 8/10 on kicks from 50-59 yards and made 50-of-53 extra points for good measure. Only one kicker made more extra points than Maher, and his 94.3% conversion rate ranked fifth among kickers who attempted at least 40 extra points.
Maher endured a nightmarish end to his Cowboys tenure after becoming a fan favorite. It was an unfortunate turn of events, but all things considered the Broncos are a perfect landing spot for Maher to remind the football word that he's one of the best kickers in the game.
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