1 Cowboys unit that was nearly flawless in 2024

In the chaotic mess that was the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season, there was one unit that ran as smooth as silk.

While the offense struggled, even before Dak Prescott was lost for the year after eight games, and the defense was inconsistent, the kicking game was nearly perfect.

Brandon Aubrey hit a career-long, 65-yard field goal and finished 40-of-47 in field goals made. That was an 85.1 percentage.

It was down from 2023’s 94.7% when he hit 36-of-38, but that is still a solid number.

Especially when he was 28-of-33 from beyond 40 yards.

Aubrey hit a 66-yard attempt against the Browns but it was wiped out by a penalty. For a brief moment, it looked like Aubrey was going to be allowed to end the half with a 71-yard try.

But Mike McCarthy chickened out, despite Aubrey’s previous attempt appearing to have been good by just enough to cover the extra yardage.

Instead of a new NFL record, the Cowboys got a new coaching staff.

Fortune favors the bold. Just saying.

Aubrey was a perfect 30-for-30 on his extra point tries in 2024 after going 36-for-38 in 2023.

With the new “dynamic kickoff” rules, Aubrey’s touchback rate plummeted from 90.8 to 48.9. But he was not the only kicker to see such a sharp decline.

He was also the only NFL kicker to hit a cheerleader with a kickoff and have it be an advantage for his defense.

Kicking off from the 50 after a penalty, Aubrey deliberately kicked the ball straight out of bounds. The move spotted the ball further back than had he kicked the ball through the end zone instead.

Anger’s punting averages were down a little in 2024 from the previous year, but still above his career averages.

However, he’s no Danny White, so it might be best if the Cowboys jettison the fake punt play for a while. Anger was 1-for-2 passing for four yards and did not convert for a first down on either play in 2024.

Anger served as the holder for Aubrey on his field goal tries.

Sieg, the man who gets both operations started, has been smooth as silk as the long snapper.

As I write this, I am trying to think of a single bad snap on his part. I can’t recall one.

Roster Review 2025: Brandon Aubrey/Bryan Anger/Trent Sieg. This is Part 21 of a series. Click here for a list of all related articles.

Outlook For 2025

Both Sieg and Anger will be unrestricted free agents next month. Aubrey is signed through the end of the upcoming season.

Aubrey will not be traded, no matter how badly his former position coach wants him.

Without the coaching staff overhaul in January, it would seem a one-hundred percent lock that Dallas would retain both their punter and long-snapper.

Both have been solid for the Cowboys during their time in Dallas.

But a new coach might have other players in mind. If the Cowboys are thinking about keeping both, then expect their contracts to be finalized quickly.

Personally, both should be brought back.

If something isn’t broke, then don’t fix it. The Cowboys’ kicking game was the one thing that wasn’t broke in 2024.

Long-Term Outlook

Aubrey has the potential to be the Cowboys’ Justin Tucker. Hopefully, minus the recent off-field drama.

Anger will be playing his 14th NFL season, no matter where he plays in 2025.

He probably has another two or three good years left in his leg.

Sieg will be entering his eighth season as a long-snapper. Given how good he is at the position, he too will be around for a few more years.

Hopefully, those years will be in Dallas.

The same goes for all three members of the best overall unit at The Star.