Brandon Aubrey’s journey in the NFL started off on a less than stellar note, with his missed extra point just 6 minutes and 57 seconds into his first game. This wasn’t exactly what Cowboys fans wanted to see, especially after their previous kicker had set a playoff record by missing four extra points in a game back in January.
However, Aubrey has since redeemed himself in the eyes of Cowboys fans and now has his sights set on a different kind of NFL record.
Since that initial miss, the rookie kicker has been flawless, making all 18 of his field goals attempts without a single miss. This makes him tied with Browns kicker Travis Coons for the most consecutive field goals made to start a career, a remarkable feat.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it too much. I’m just focused on going out there and doing my job,” Aubrey remarked in an interview with Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. “I’ve done it so far, and I hope to keep doing it in the future. My only focus is on making my kicks and nothing else.”
It’s safe to say that Aubrey isn’t your typical NFL rookie. Unlike most players, he didn’t play college football. Instead, he honed his skills as a defender on the soccer team at Notre Dame, where he scored a total of 15 goals in 76 games. In 2017, he was selected in the first round by Toronto FC.
However, in 2022, Aubrey made the decision to transition from soccer to football, putting an end to his soccer career. He joined the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and quickly established himself as the top kicker, making 14 out of 15 field goals and 35 PATs en route to helping his team win the league championship in 2023.
“I don’t feel like a rookie,” Aubrey stated. “After playing in the USFL for a couple of years, I feel more like a sophomore. Even though I understand that the NFL is a whole different ball game, as a kicker, it’s somewhat similar. You just have to focus on your operation — the snap, hold, and kick. However, my experience in the MLS as a rookie was a completely different story. I feel more mature and prepared for the challenges of being a professional athlete now.”
Aubrey has proven himself to be a reliable presence for the Cowboys, a team that has seen multiple kickers, including Brett Maher, Kai Forbath, and Greg Zuerlein, since their Pro Bowl kicker Dan Bailey, who holds the franchise record for most made field goals (186).
