The perfect of each worlds: Why Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is now one of the best within the NFL

It wasn’t that way back when the Dallas Cowboys had what some would possibly name (utilizing your Matt Foley voice) a “kicking problem.” For years we have been spoiled by the nice accuracy of Dan Bailey, however then issues obtained a bit of shaky towards the tip of his profession. In a surprising last roster minimize transfer again in 2018, the Cowboys changed Bailey with a 29-year-old rookie named Brett Maher. The group’s new kicker was identified for having a giant leg and through his time in Dallas. He set new franchise data for the longest (63 yards), second-longest (62 yards, twice), and third-longest (60 yards) in group historical past.

The Maher experiment was enjoyable at instances, but additionally irritating as a result of he struggled to make the straightforward ones. When John Fassel took over as particular groups coach, he introduced with him his former kicker from the Rams, Greg Zuerlein. Greg “the leg” was an enchancment however had his personal accuracy points. He performed two seasons in Dallas. In one other shocker, the group opted for a second serving to of Maher in 2022 the place he was surprisingly correct this time round, making over 90% of his subject targets. However in a wierd plot twist, he had a case of the yips and missed a number of further factors within the Cowboys playoff win over Tampa Bay.

The Cowboys entered 2023 with a lot uncertainty. The fanbase wished them to go after free agent Robbie Gould, however the group had different plans. They appreciated what they’d in former professional soccer participant/turned USFL kicker, Brandon Aubrey. Whereas coaching camp misses led to some uneasiness, Aubrey was the leg the Cowboys determined to roll with, and little did we all know what was coming.

Right here is the Cowboys kicker timeline for the final 14 seasons…

Aubrey has been with the group for 2 seasons and every time he’s earned All-Professional honors. That’s fairly good. It’s unbelievable what Aubrey has completed. We speak about his accomplishments, nevertheless it’s simple to lose sight of a few of them as a result of he’s achieved a lot in such a short while. Having a kicker who’s so correct and with outstanding vary is a superb luxurious and that’s the reason we’re taking a second to seize a few of Aubrey’s feats.

What an excellent begin

It didn’t take lengthy for followers to heat as much as him as all he did was knock down subject targets. Actually. Via the primary 16 video games of his NFL profession, he made each subject aim he tried. He began an ideal 35/35, which is an NFL document. Crazily, his first official miss got here when a defender snuck by the road unattended and blocked the try within the 2023 regular-season finale in opposition to the Washington Commanders. He then proceeded to overlook his very subsequent kick when the ball doinked off the upright, however as we discovered quick, these misses are few and much between.

The child’s obtained a leg

Talking of far, Aubrey wasted no time racking up the gap data. Let’s take a look at what he’s completed already.

Most subject targets of fifty yards or extra in a season (14), an NFL document
Solely kicker in NFL historical past to have two seasons with at the very least 10 subject targets of fifty+ yards
Solely kicker in NFL historical past to kick two subject targets of at the very least 59 yards in a single recreation
Second longest subject aim in NFL historical past (65 yards)

That’s a profession’s price of data in simply two seasons. It’s fairly wonderful. Actually, many people have been anticipating Justin Tucker’s document of 66 yards to fall to Aubrey this previous season due to what we noticed early within the 12 months. Aubrey knocked down a 66-yarder within the preseason and once more in Week 1 in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, however neither counted as a result of one was within the preseason and the opposite was negated by a delay-of-game penalty. It feels prefer it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Aubrey additionally holds the document for longest subject aim.

He’s on the cash

Some kickers are lethal correct, a la Dan Bailey. And a few have a robust leg, i.e. Brett Maher. Nonetheless, it’s tremendous uncommon to discover a kicker who’s each. Justin Tucker has been that unicorn for many of his profession and can finally put on a gold jacket due to it.

Aubrey is one other man who offers you one of the best of each worlds. Tucker has a profession kicking share of 89.1% which makes him probably the most correct kicker in NFL historical past. Aubrey is off to begin. His success charge is definitely a smidge larger than Tuckers at 89.4%, however you have to have at the very least 100 makes an attempt to qualify and Aubrey solely has 85. If Aubrey retains it up, it’s fairly potential we might have a brand new “most accurate kicker” by the center of subsequent season.

The wonderful thing about Aubrey’s accuracy is not only his excessive subject aim share, however simply how constant his kicks are. If you have a look at his physique of labor, the dude is drilling them proper down the center. He not often offers us something to sweat and it’s fairly evident that this man has obtained this kicking factor dialed in. See for your self.

Brandon Aubrey is one of the best kicker within the NFL. We learn about his booming leg, however he’s on the cash. Right here is each single make this previous season and look how so many kicks are proper down the center.

The Cowboys are so fortunate to have him. pic.twitter.com/vb0oymUrgy

— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) January 11, 2025