Preseason NFL games have a reputation for being low-key affairs, usually lacking the tension and excitement that define the regular season or playoffs. However, there are exceptions to this, and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey provided one such moment that has set the NFL community abuzz.
A Kick for the Ages
In a stunning display of leg strength and precision, Aubrey smashed a 66-yard field goal during the Cowboys' 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. While preseason stats may not find their way into the NFL's official record books, that does nothing to diminish the significance of Aubrey’s extraordinary achievement.
Aubrey’s 66-yarder ties the NFL overall record set by the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker in 2021. Tucker's historic kick came in a high-pressure situation, sealing a 19-17 win for the Ravens over the Detroit Lions. While the stakes in a preseason game are not as high, the sheer distance of Aubrey's kick makes it a standout moment.
Setting New Standards
Before Aubrey’s remarkable kick, the benchmark for the longest field goal in a preseason game was held by Ola Kimrin, who nailed a 65-yarder back in 2002 while in the Denver Broncos' training camp. Kimrin’s kick had been the gold standard for preseason performances for over two decades.
Kimrin’s NFL career, however, was not as stellar as his preseason highlight. He ultimately featured in only five regular-season games with Washington in 2004, achieving a 60% success rate on field goals during his short NFL tenure. This included missing a kick from beyond 50 yards.
Despite Kimrin’s remarkable preseason record, regular-season kicks from beyond 60 yards have become increasingly common in the NFL. From 2003 to 2023, the league recorded 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more. Yet, only two kickers have managed to surpass Kimrin's 65-yarder in any NFL game: Justin Tucker and now Brandon Aubrey.
Aubrey's Potential
According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Aubrey's 66-yarder carried enough power that it would have been successful from as far as 72 yards. This remarkable capability showcases the potential Aubrey brings to the Cowboys. “Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice,” adds more evidence to his extraordinary talent.
With the preseason winding down and the regular season looming on the horizon, the Dallas Cowboys may have uncovered a treasure in Brandon Aubrey. His performance in this otherwise low-stakes game might just signal the arrival of a kicker capable of changing the course of high-stakes moments in the regular season and beyond.
In a sport where special teams can make or break a game, the Cowboys' discovery of a kicker with such talent could be a game-changer. If Aubrey can translate his preseason heroics into regular-season success, he could very well become an indispensable asset for Dallas.