The story of Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey was one of the most compelling narratives of the 2023 NFL season. From a Major League Soccer prospect to a software engineer, and then to a record-breaking kicker in the USFL and NFL, his journey is remarkable. This unique path has sparked widespread curiosity, with many professionals asking: "What is Brandon Aubrey's salary, and what can one expect to earn in such a high-pressure role?"
While an individual player's contract is specific, it provides a fascinating entry point into understanding the compensation structure for one of sports' most specialized careers. A successful NFL kicker can earn a lucrative living, with salaries ranging from the league minimum of $795,000 for a rookie in 2024 to multi-million dollar annual contracts for established veterans. In this article, we'll break down Brandon Aubrey's current salary and analyze the broader career and financial landscape for an NFL kicker.
What Does an NFL Kicker Do?
At its core, the role of an NFL kicker is to score points through field goals and extra points. This position demands an extraordinary level of mental fortitude, precision, and consistency under immense pressure. A kicker's performance can single-handedly decide the outcome of a game.
Responsibilities include:
- Field Goals: Kicking the football through the uprights from various distances and angles, often with the game on the line.
- Extra Points (PATs): Kicking the point-after-touchdown, which has become a more challenging play since being moved back in 2015.
- Kickoffs: Kicking the ball to the opposing team to start a half or after a score, often aiming for a "touchback" to prevent a return.
Brandon Aubrey excelled in this role during his rookie season, setting an NFL record for the most consecutive field goals made to start a career (35). This level of performance is precisely what teams pay for.
Brandon Aubrey's Salary & The Typical NFL Kicker Contract
As a rookie who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, Brandon Aubrey's salary is dictated by the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) standards for first-year players.
According to authoritative sports contract resource Spotrac, Brandon Aubrey signed a 3-year, $2.695 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. For the 2023 season, his compensation broke down as follows:
- Base Salary: $750,000 (the rookie minimum for 2023)
- Signing Bonus: $10,000 (prorated over the contract)
- Total 2023 Cash Earned: $760,000
While this is an impressive figure, it sits at the entry-level for the profession. The salary range for NFL kickers is quite broad:
- Entry-Level (Rookies/First-Year Players): ~$795,000 to $900,000 (based on the 2024 NFL minimums)
- Mid-Career Kickers: $2 million to $4 million per year
- Top-Tier/Elite Veterans: $5 million to over $6 million per year (e.g., Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, who is widely considered the best, earns an average of $6 million annually).
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Unlike traditional careers, an NFL kicker's salary isn't influenced by education or a corporate ladder. Instead, it's determined by a unique set of performance-driven and league-mandated factors.
### Years of Experience (Accrued Seasons)
The NFL CBA explicitly defines salary minimums based on a player's number of "accrued seasons." A player earns an accrued season by being on full-pay status for at least six regular-season games.
- 0 Accrued Seasons (Rookie): A player like Aubrey earns the league minimum. They have very little negotiating power.
- 1-3 Accrued Seasons: Minimum salary increases incrementally. These players may sign slightly more lucrative short-term deals if they perform well.
- 4+ Accrued Seasons (Veteran Free Agent): After four seasons, a player can become an unrestricted free agent, allowing them to negotiate with any team. This is where top performers see their salaries skyrocket, as they can command market-rate contracts based on their track record.
### Performance and Statistics
This is the single most important factor. For kickers, performance is easily quantifiable. Key metrics that drive contract value include:
- Field Goal Percentage: An elite kicker consistently converts over 90% of their attempts.
- Kicking Distance: The ability to reliably make field goals from 50+ yards is a premium skill that significantly increases a kicker's value.
- Clutch Performance: A reputation for making game-winning kicks under pressure is invaluable.
Aubrey's record-breaking consistency in his rookie year has dramatically increased his future earning potential. If he maintains this level of play, his second contract will be substantially larger than his first.
### Draft Status and Signing Bonuses
While many kickers (like Aubrey) go undrafted, being selected in the NFL Draft can provide a slight financial edge on a rookie contract, primarily through a larger signing bonus. The signing bonus is guaranteed money, providing a layer of security for the player. Aubrey's path from the USFL is becoming a more common and viable alternative for specialists to prove their worth and earn an NFL contract.
### The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The CBA is the master document, negotiated between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), that governs all financial aspects of the league. It sets the rookie wage scale, minimum salaries for veterans, and the all-important Salary Cap. The cap is the total amount of money a team can spend on player salaries in a given year. A team's available cap space directly impacts its ability to sign a high-priced veteran kicker.
### Company Type
In this context, "Company Type" can be equated to the financial situation and philosophy of an individual NFL team. A team that is competing for a Super Bowl and has ample salary cap space may be more willing to pay a premium for a reliable veteran kicker. Conversely, a rebuilding team might opt for a younger, less expensive player on a rookie-scale contract.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for an NFL kicker is unlike any profession tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It is a zero-sum game with an extremely limited number of positions.
- Number of Jobs: There are only 32 starting kicker jobs in the NFL.
- Competition: The competition is immense. Every year, new talent from college and alternative leagues (like the USFL/UFL) competes to unseat incumbent players. Job security is notoriously low; a few missed kicks can lead to a player being released.
- Career Length: While precarious, a successful career can be long. Elite kickers who maintain their performance can play well into their late 30s or even 40s (e.g., Adam Vinatieri, who retired at 48), making it one of the longest-potential careers in the sport.
The emergence of spring football leagues like the UFL has created a valuable developmental pipeline, offering a "second chance" for players like Aubrey to prove their skills and catch the eye of an NFL team.
Conclusion
Analyzing Brandon Aubrey's salary reveals that while he is currently on a modest entry-level contract, his incredible performance has put him on a path toward significant financial success. His story serves as a powerful case study for anyone aspiring to a high-stakes, performance-based career.
Key takeaways for understanding this profession's salary structure include:
- Entry is Standardized: Rookie salaries are modest and largely predetermined by the NFL CBA.
- Performance is Everything: Your future earnings are directly tied to your on-field results. Consistency and clutch ability are what build a multi-million dollar career.
- It's a High-Risk, High-Reward Field: With only 32 primary jobs available, the competition is fierce, but the financial rewards and career longevity for those at the top are substantial.
For professionals and students alike, the career of an NFL kicker is a lesson in the power of specialization, mental toughness, and delivering results when it matters most. Brandon Aubrey's journey is a testament to the fact that with elite skill and perseverance, unconventional paths can lead to exceptional opportunities.