The Dallas Cowboys released Tristan Vizcaino Monday afternoon, leaving Brandon Aubrey as the only kicker on the roster as the team starts prepping for their first preseason game Saturday.
Vizcaino struggled in training camp, hitting on 22 of his 35 field goal attempts.
He ended last season on the practice squad in Dallas and re-signed with the team in February.
He appeared in games with the Cardinals and Patriots earlier in the season. He was 2-of-2 on field goals and 3-of-3 on extra points, but his struggle in camp is the reason why he was just cut by the team.
The problem is, although Aubrey has been the better kicker thus far, it's not by much.
Saturday, both kickers struggled in the Mojo Moment.
Vizcaino missed all three of his kicks, while Aubrey went 1-for-3, missing wide left and leaving one short of the goalpost.
Cowboys kicker Tristan Vizcaino missed four straight FGs from 33, 38, 39 and 39 yards. The first 39 had poor operation with bad snap, so team reloaded to second try. All misses wide left. Vizcaino 4-of-8 with context of bad operation on one. Brandon Aubrey: 5-of-7. Missed 33, 42. pic.twitter.com/f5xS76TSTz
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 5, 2023
Overall, Aubrey has gone 26-for-35. Better than Vizcaino, but nothing to be excited about either.
“We're always open to (possibly adding a veteran). But I'm excited about our young guy (Brandon Aubrey),” Mike McCarthy said after the release. “We're always open for business.”
In the first practice after Vizcaino's release, Aubrey went 7-for-9 from 33 to 44 yards. Wide right from 43 and wide left from 44.
Although it was better, you cannot leave him alone with nobody else to compete for the job.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey started out hot, but missed two of his last three today, finishing 7 of 9 pic.twitter.com/4Q8GhFSEyr
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 7, 2023
Why is this team not reaching out to any veterans to bring them in to at least put even more pressure on Aubrey and try to win the job themselves?
They will let him test it on in the first preseason game on Saturday against Jacksonville, and if he struggles, look for someone else to be brought in.
2023 outlook
I still think the kicker who will be the guy in 2023 is missing from the roster.
Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby, and Randy Bullock are all still around for the Cowboys.
They all are more experienced than Aubrey, but Bullock is 118-123 (96%) on XPs over the last four seasons. Including 28-28 during the 2022 season on XPs.
The kicker wins and loses a lot of games in the NFL, and if Aubrey is the starter in week one against the Giants on Sunday Night Football, trouble is brewing.
He will lose the team a game before he wins them one.
The Cowboys let Brett Maher go after his horrible playoff game against Tampa because he couldn't make an EXP.
I would take no chances with a kicker who didn't even start kicking a football until a few years ago.
So many veterans are sitting out there that have won big games in this league with their leg, I wouldn't take the chance with how good this roster is.
Just go sign one, Jerry!
Yes, they have the money. Something they normally don't have.
The Cowboys are sitting on nearly $20M that they can not only spend on a kicker for a one or two year deal, they should also find a way to rework the deal for Zack Martin and make sure he is happy.
