Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has absolutely restored faith in their kicking game, establishing himself as one of the NFL's elite kickers. The guy's reliability has been a tremendous asset, making him invaluable. But here’s the wild part: his very consistency has actually raised some serious questions about whether the Cowboys have become too dependent on him. It’s not just talk, either; this is a full-blown debate.
Is Being "Automatic" Actually a Problem?
Some folks in the league are absolutely convinced that head coach Brian Schottenheimer has leaned way too heavily on Aubrey's powerful leg. Instead of pushing for those key first downs, going for the jugular, they're reportedly choosing field goal attempts. Schottenheimer himself has acknowledged as much, which is wild to hear the coach admit! But that's the thing: will that trend, this reliance on kicking over pushing for touchdowns, actually continue into 2026? Aubrey is about as automatic as it gets when it comes to putting points on the board, and yeah, having that kind of safety net for an offense isn't the worst thing in the world. But if it's holding back the overall offensive potential, if it's making them too conservative, then that "tremendous asset" might just be a crutch.Schotty's Make-or-Break Year Two
Now, the man at the center of this, Schottenheimer, has a massive opportunity to change that narrative in 2026. This isn't just about tweaking things; he can take his play-calling and aggressiveness to another level. We're talking about a real evolution here! However, and this is the crucial part, to do that consistently, he’s gotta have rock-solid confidence in his defense. That’s where defensive coordinator Christian Parker steps up big time. If Parker can help turn things around on that side of the ball, getting the defense to play with fire and consistency, then the Cowboys' offense could become even more dangerous. Think about it: instead of Schottenheimer coaching around defensive concerns, playing it safe, he might finally feel comfortable enough to start taking calculated risks. He could dial up some serious creativity! That approach isn't just talk, it could lead directly to more points, a far more explosive offense, and a much better chance of returning to the playoffs in his second season as head coach. So, the stage is set for 2026. Can Schottenheimer truly level up his game, trusting his defense enough to unleash a more aggressive offense? Or will Aubrey's automatic leg keep dictating too many of their offensive decisions? The stakes for their playoff hopes are absolutely massive.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.