Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has restored faith in the team’s kicking game while establishing himself as one of the NFL’s elite kickers. His reliability has made him a tremendous asset, but it has also raised questions about whether the Cowboys have become too dependent on him. Some believe head coach Brian Schottenheimer has leaned too heavily on Aubrey’s powerful leg, choosing field goal attempts over taking chances to convert key first downs. Schottenheimer has acknowledged as much, but the question remains: will that trend continue in 2026? Regardless, Aubrey is about as automatic as it gets when it comes to putting points on the board, and that’s not the worst safety net for an offense to have.
The man many believe has relied too much on Aubrey, Schottenheimer, has an opportunity to change that in 2026 by taking his play-calling and aggressiveness to another level. However, to do that consistently, he’ll need confidence in his defense. If defensive coordinator Christian Parker can help turn things around on that side of the ball, the Cowboys’ offense could become even more dangerous. Instead of coaching around defensive concerns, Schottenheimer may feel more comfortable taking calculated risks and dialing up additional creativity. That approach could lead to more points, a more explosive offense, and a better chance of returning to the playoffs in his second season as head coach.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Headlines: Aubrey debate; can Schotty level up in 2026?
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
