The career of Brandon Aubrey is a textbook example of athletic reinvention. He began his professional football career in his late twenties after playing soccer for MLS team Toronto FC. He eventually signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys. That extraordinary and uncommon adventure has resulted in an equally captivating financial arc.
Aubrey’s base salary in 2025 is $1,030,000, which is much more than the average wage of the majority of the league’s second-year specialists. His total cap hit comes to little over $1.03 million when a small $9,450 workout incentive is added. The total amount of his three-year contract is $2.695 million, which translates to an average of $898,333 per year. But one thing that is conspicuously missing is guaranteed money. Each and every week, every dollar is earned via performance.
Brandon Aubrey – Personal and Career Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brandon Scott Aubrey |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) |
| Weight | 208 lbs (94 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| College | University of Notre Dame |
| NFL Position | Placekicker |
| Current Team | Dallas Cowboys |
| Entry to NFL | 2023 (Undrafted Free Agent) |
| Previous Career | Professional Soccer Player (Toronto FC, Bethlehem Steel FC, USFL) |
| Current NFL Contract | 3 years / $2,695,000 |
| 2025 Base Salary | $1,030,000 |
| Workout Bonus (2025) | $9,450 |
| Total Cap Hit (2025) | $1,039,450 |
| Free Agency Status | 2026 (Restricted Free Agent) |
| Agent | Todd France |
| Reference |
Even though Aubrey was an undrafted free agency in 2023, his value has grown remarkably quickly. Aubrey established a new standard for himself among NFL kickers in 2024 after a standout campaign in which he made a 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens, which was only surpassed by Justin Tucker’s historic 66-yarder. In fact, Aubrey now has the league’s longest active kick since Tucker was cut by the Ravens. That success changed the financial landscape in addition to making records.
The landscape of kickers is changing. Changes in game techniques and increased pressure to convert long-range opportunities have upgraded the position, which was previously seen to be interchangeable. Kansas City mainstay Harrison Butker, who previously topped the earnings table with a $25.6 million deal, made an average of $6.4 million annually. Todd France, Aubrey’s agent, is already influencing talks that might result in Aubrey signing a contract worth up to $28 million over four years, or $7 million a year. France also represents quarterback Dak Prescott.
Aubrey would instantly become the highest-paid kicker in NFL history if those predictions come to pass. In addition to rewarding success, that change would reshape the way teams pay their special teams players. The ability to routinely convert from 55 yards and beyond becomes a crucial strategic advantage, not a luxury, especially in games that are decided by small margins. Aubrey’s dependability is economically reasonable and amazingly effective in this situation.
For cross-sport athletes and late bloomers in particular, his ascent is encouraging. Aubrey’s football career wasn’t straight-line. Before focusing on kicking, he spent his early years navigating soccer locker rooms, defensive strategies, and tactical responsibilities. The mental and physical foundation for his current NFL career was established during his time with the Birmingham Stallions and Bethlehem Steel FC in the USFL. In addition to physical training, the shift from monitoring strikers to splitting uprights necessitated a total mental adjustment.
Aubrey stands out for his ability to embody patience, precision, and resilience with ease. These skills, which were frequently developed under intense pressure on the soccer pitch, are now translated into game-winning kicks and field goals in the fourth quarter. It is difficult to teach the mental toughness needed to remain still while 80,000 supporters hold their breath. Aubrey had brought it along.
Everyone will be watching to see how Dallas handles his upcoming restricted free agency as the 2026 offseason draws near. The Cowboys can negotiate a long-term contract, franchise tag him, or offer him a tender. Letting him test the market may be very expensive, considering how important his right leg has turned out to be. Additionally, securing a kicker who can produce from more than 60 yards feels more like a need than a gamble, as special teams are becoming more and more important to postseason runs.
Unlike many other NFL players who receive a lot of media attention, Aubrey maintains a very quiet profile. He is not using Instagram followers to promote product lines or chase brand partnerships. Instead, he is drawing the attention of scouts, fans, and analysts by letting his footwork speak for him. He is incredibly dependable and exhibits remarkable composure under duress.
From the perspective of the industry, Aubrey’s narrative fits into a broader trend of experts making high-profile salaries. Previously categorized as budget line items, kickers are now being scouted with the same rigor as tight ends or cornerbacks. The rise of Aubrey and the expected increase in contracts are the economic expression of that change in thinking.
Even among athletes like Matt Gay, Evan McPherson, and Justin Tucker, Aubrey’s career path is notable owing of his unconventional upbringing as well as his stats. The majority of top kickers hone their skills at NFL camps and NCAA programs, but Aubrey trained in very diverse environments—soccer grounds, minor leagues, and practice squads—before making his primetime debut at AT&T Stadium.
Dallas’ choice to sign him undrafted now appears to be especially creative. Similar actions are echoed in other areas when teams place bets on highly skilled but underappreciated talent. The payment appears in the balance sheet as well as on the scoreboard. Teams may invest elsewhere by having the cap room flexibility to secure exceptional performance without having to pay the premium price tag.
The Cowboys have placed a strong emphasis on athletic versatility in their investment plan in recent seasons, and Aubrey is a wonderful fit. He can produce game-winning moments without being reliant on schemes or prone to injuries, making him a long-term value as well as an immediate impact. He has so far shown remarkable longevity, and his influence is only going to increase.
The importance of his upcoming contract cannot be denied. Not only will it dictate his pay, but it will also be a predictor of how clutch specialists are ranked by teams. It would be a message to other kickers in the league that he can now command wide receiver money if the Cowboys contract him for $7 million a year.
