Now, he hopes to be paid like it.
The Cowboys have yet to come to a contract extension with Aubrey, who has been an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in each of his first three NFL seasons. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said negotiations with Aubrey began before the start of last season. With less than a week until the free agency negotiation period ends, Aubrey, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned.
“It’s been a journey,” Jones said from the NFL scouting combine last week, “but we haven’t been able to get to a point where we can all agree. Haven’t gotten it done, but we’d love to get him done.”
At that point, there was a significant gap between the sides. The Cowboys at one point had an offer to make Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, multiple people familiar with the negotiations told The Dallas Morning News. It would’ve eclipsed the deal for Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker ($6.4 million), but was under the $7 million threshold. It was also far from Aubrey’s agent Todd France’s request of $10 million.
Talks between the Cowboys and France resumed at the combine. While talks have been positive, they haven’t been enough to complete a deal.
The Cowboys plan to place a second-round tender on Aubrey, which is valued at $5.81 million, according to Spotrac. The Cowboys would have the chance to match any deal signed by Aubrey in free agency, or they would be entitled to a second-round pick if they decided not to match.