INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Cowboys are still hopeful of reaching a deal with kicker Brandon Aubrey that would make him the highest-paid kicker in league history.
Aubrey’s agent, Todd France, met with team officials on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Before the start of last season, France halted contract negotiations with Cowboys officials when his request for a $10 million-per-year salary was rebuffed.
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Both sides are in agreement that Aubrey should be the highest-paid kicker in league history, but agreeing on by how much has been the issue. The talks are not considered acrimonious, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Dallas Morning News.
However, it seems the Cowboys are sure about one thing: Aubrey will not get a $10 million-per-year salary.
The News reported on Tuesday that the Cowboys had offered a deal close to $7.5 million per year. Aubrey and his wife called that report “fake” and “false” in comments on social media.
On Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal clarified that the Cowboys’ offer was just under $7 million, which would still make Aubrey the highest-paid at his position.
The Chiefs’ Harrison Butker has the highest average salary in the league at $6.4 million. Jake Elliott of the Eagles has the second-highest deal at $6 million.
The Cowboys have leverage in contact talks with Aubrey because he’s a restricted free agent. The Cowboys could offer either a first-round tender (projected at $8.107 million) or second-round tender ($5.811 million).
Both tenders, which are one-year deals, would be raises for Aubrey, who enters his fourth year in the league and is considered one of the best kickers in the game. Aubrey has made 88.2% of his field goals, and his long-distance range is a vital weapon for the Cowboys.
He’s made 35 of 44 field goal tries in his career from 50-plus yards.
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