The Dallas Cowboys have placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on kicker Brandon Aubrey, according to multiple reports. The tender is valued at $5.7 million for the upcoming season and positions the Cowboys to retain contractual control over the Pro Bowl specialist while longer-term negotiations continue.
By applying a second-round tender, Dallas signals both its appreciation of Aubrey’s performance and its desire to deter rival teams from pursuing him. Under NFL rules, another club could sign Aubrey to an offer sheet, but the Cowboys would have the right to match that deal. If they declined to match, they would be entitled to receive a second-round draft pick as compensation. The size of the tender and the attached draft-pick cost typically make it more challenging for other teams to pry a player away.
The move also buys time for the front office as it works toward its stated goal of reaching a multiyear extension with Aubrey. A longer-term deal would give the player greater security while allowing the team to manage salary cap implications over several seasons rather than in a single year at the tender amount. Until such a contract is finalized, the tender functions as a one-year agreement if Aubrey signs it and no outside offer materializes.
Aubrey’s rise has been notable within the Cowboys’ roster structure, as dependable kicking has been a priority for a team with consistent postseason aspirations. His selection to the Pro Bowl underscores how quickly he has established himself among the league’s more reliable kickers, and the organization’s decision to attach a second-round tender reflects that status.
The Cowboys have not publicly disclosed additional contract details or a timetable for negotiations, and terms of any potential extension have not been reported. For now, the tender ensures that Aubrey remains under team control heading into the next league year, while Dallas continues to explore a long-term agreement that would keep its Pro Bowl kicker in place beyond the upcoming season.
