Feb. 1, 2026, 3:36 p.m. ET
The Dallas Cowboys are always a hot topic during the offseason, with rumors of departures, free-agent signings, and more. But, they could very well lose one weapon on special teams.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is a free agent. He is considered one of the top kicking weapons in the NFL. Albeit a restricted free agent, which comes with challenges, all the focus has been on Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens and what will happen to him after revitalizing his short career in Dallas with Dak Prescott.
It would be vital for the Cowboys to secure Aubrey on a long-term contract, but it could be complicated. ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently broke down the details.
“If the Cowboys don’t want to extend Aubrey, they could offer him a one-year restricted free agent tender,” Graziano writes. “The options would be a first-round tender (likely around $7.8 million), a second-round tender (likely around $5.7 million), or a right of first refusal tender (likely around $3.5 million).”
“If they use the first-round tender, another team offers Aubrey a contract, and the Cowboys decline to match the offer, the team that signs Aubrey would have to give the Cowboys a first-round pick. If they use the second-round tender and the same thing happens, the team that signs Aubrey would have to give the Cowboys a second-round pick. But if they use the right of first refusal tender and the same thing happens, the team signing Aubrey wouldn’t have to give the Cowboys any compensation at all.”
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It appears the Cowboys will offer George Pickens a franchise tag, which would take that off the table for Aubrey and put thingsfurther in the air for the time being.