Mike McCarthy hoping for Mason Crosby-like debut from Cowboys rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey makes his NFL debut on Sunday night against the New York Giants. The rookie and former MLS player has three preseason games under his belt and so far, he has the Cowboys believing.

Mike McCarthy rejected the notion that Aubrey is “inexperienced” during his press conference on Monday.

“The opinion of the kicker is, obviously, I don’t think we see that the same,” McCarthy said of Aubrey. “I have confidence in him… I don’t worry about his ability, he’s passed that test, he’s high in that area. He just needs opportunities. I’ve been very impressed with Brandon.”

Getting closer to gameday, McCarthy added that he hopes Aubrey has the same kind of rookie debut that former Packers kicker Mason Crosby had. In Crosby’s debut for Green Bay in 2007, he hit a 53-yarder, then a 43-yard game-winner.

“The talent is there. He reminds me of a young Mason Crosby,” McCarthy said. “I hope he has the same start too… I feel good about him because he has an arsenal of kicks, which is important.”

The Cowboys signed Aubrey after he wrapped up a season with the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions. He initially had an MLS career and a collegiate career playing soccer for Notre Dame.

In 2017, Aubrey was a first-round draft pick for Toronto F.C. of the MLS. They released him after one season, and he then signed with the United Soccer League team Bethlehem Steel.

Aubrey made his debut as a football player after going in the USFL’s 2022 Draft to Birmingham. His contract with the Stallions lapsed on July 3. During the season, he went 14 for 15 on field goals and 35-for-35 on point-after attempts.

Jerry Jones backs Aubrey

According to Jerry Jones, Aubrey’s lack of experience isn’t a mark against him so far.

“No. Not at all,” Jones said regarding his level of concern about the rookie’s experience. “Because sometimes I’ve seen what happens when you go into one with someone who’s kicked before and I didn’t like that. That doesn’t necessarily ensure you anything.”

“I like what he’s shown us,” Jones added. “I like his story. I like how he got here and how John [Fassel] feels about him. It feels good. He just needs to get some experience. It’d be like dropping a 21-year-old in the valley, bringing him back, drinking a beer.”

Last season, the Cowboys had a consistent, veteran option in Brett Maher. Maher hit on 90.6% of his field goals and 50 of 53 extra-point attempts. In the postseason, he made two field goals with a long of 43. However, he went 1-for-6 on extra points.

Two weeks into the preseason, the Cowboys released kicker Tristan Vizcaino in order to give Aubrey more of the reps.

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