Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers - A Look Back

16 Jun, 2025

When you think about the Dallas Cowboys, a lot of things probably come to mind: big plays, iconic stars, and maybe, just maybe, the folks who handle the kicking duties. It's a spot on the team that, you know, can sometimes feel a bit overlooked until a really big moment comes along. But for a team that's been around since 1960, there have been quite a few interesting characters and stories tied to that kicking position.

The truth is, the Dallas Cowboys have seen their share of talent come through the kicking ranks, and it's pretty wild how much things can change for these players. From those who started out strong to others who found themselves looking for a new team, it's a part of the team's story that, as a matter of fact, really shows how professional football works. We're talking about players who've left their mark, some in big ways, others just for a short while.

It's easy to forget just how important a good kicker can be, but when you look at the history of the Dallas Cowboys, you can see how these individuals have shaped games, and in some respects, even seasons. So, let's take a little stroll through the past and get to know some of the folks who've worn that star on their helmets as the team's kickers, and what their time with the team was like.

A Look at Key Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers
Who are some notable former Dallas Cowboys kickers?
Dan Bailey - A Standout Among Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers
What makes a great former Dallas Cowboys kicker?
How have former Dallas Cowboys kickers changed over time?
The Current Scene - Following Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers
What's next for some former Dallas Cowboys kickers?
The Cowboys' Kicking Story - From Past to Present

A Look at Key Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers

When you consider the folks who've handled the kicking duties for the Dallas Cowboys over the years, a few names probably come to mind. Back when the team first started in 1960, the individuals handling the kicks were Allen Green and Dick Bielski. These were the early days, you know, when the team was just finding its footing in the league. Their contributions, while perhaps not as widely remembered as some others, definitely set the stage for what was to come. It’s pretty wild to think about how much the game, and the kicking position itself, has changed since those very first seasons.

Moving through the years, the Cowboys have, in some respects, seen a fair share of turnover at the kicking spot, which is pretty typical for NFL teams. The way kicking spots on professional football teams often change around is just a part of the sport. It means that players come and go, trying to find their place, and teams are always looking for that consistent touch. We've seen players like Brandon Aubrey step in, and he's a good example of someone who really showed up ready to perform. He joined the team after a really good year in the UFL in 2022, and he's certainly showing you just how true that idea of finding the right fit is.

Brandon Aubrey, in fact, became the kicker for his hometown Dallas Cowboys less than two years after his time in the UFL. He had been picked as the 21st player overall in the 2017 MLS draft by Toronto FC, and after two seasons playing soccer, he decided he wanted to try his hand at being an NFL kicker. That's quite a path, honestly, from the soccer field to the football field. He put 29 out of 32 field goals right through, which is a pretty solid start. Only Kai Forbath has a higher success rate, but he only got to kick seven times for Dallas, so it's a bit of a different situation there. Aubrey, as a matter of fact, played in the USFL before he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, and real fast, he became one of the most steady kickers in the NFL, assisting his team with precise kicks. He's also put 16 field goals through in a row to start his time playing, which is a big deal.

Who are some notable former Dallas Cowboys kickers?

When we talk about folks who used to kick for the Dallas Cowboys, a few names always pop up, and for good reason. Dan Bailey, for instance, is without a doubt, one of the top Dallas Cowboys kickers of all time. He started his impressive time playing with the team back in 2011. He's certainly a name that many fans remember fondly, and his consistency was, you know, a real comfort for the team for many years. His story is a good one, showing how a player can truly make a mark on a team's history.

Then there's the situation with Brett Maher, who Brandon Aubrey stepped in for after a tough moment in the playoffs. That's the kind of thing that happens in professional sports, where one play or one game can sometimes change the whole picture for a player. It's a reminder that the kicking position, perhaps more than any other, can be very, very high-pressure. You're often the one person with the ball in your hands, and everyone is watching to see what happens next, you know?

Greg Zuerlein, who also used to kick for the Dallas Cowboys, is another name that comes up. He's going to be one of many seasoned players around the league trying to find a new team ahead of the 2025 season, as the New York Jets, as a matter of fact, let him go on a Friday. This just goes to show you that even experienced players can find themselves in a spot where they need to look for a new home. It’s part of the business, honestly, and it's something players deal with all the time.

And let's not forget Tom Dempsey, who used to kick in the NFL. While the text doesn't say he played for the Cowboys, he's a former NFL kicker, and his name comes up in the context of the Cowboys' history. It reminds us that the world of kicking is a small one, and many of these players cross paths or are talked about in similar circles. It's interesting, really, how these different stories connect, even if a player didn't wear the star.

Dan Bailey - A Standout Among Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers

Dan Bailey is, quite frankly, a name that stands out when you talk about the Dallas Cowboys' kicking history. He came into the world on January 26, 1988, and became someone who used to play football for a living, specifically as the person who handles the kicks in the National Football League. His college days were spent playing football for the Oklahoma folks, which, you know, is a pretty good football program to come from.

He started his impressive time playing with the team back in 2011. If you're someone who likes to really get into the details, you might want to see if you can find a copy of the 2011 Dallas Cowboys media guide, which would likely have a lot of information about him and his start. He was a very, very reliable presence for the team for many years, which is something every coach really wants in a kicker. His time with the team is, in a way, a highlight for the kicking position.

Dan Bailey - Personal Details
Detail	Information
Born	January 26, 1988
Role	Former Professional Football Player (Placekicker)
College Football	Oklahoma
Began Cowboys Career	2011

What makes a great former Dallas Cowboys kicker?

When you think about what makes a great kicker for any team, including the Dallas Cowboys, it really comes down to a few key things. Consistency, obviously, is a huge one. Being able to put the ball through the uprights time and time again, especially in those big, high-pressure moments, is what separates the good from the truly memorable. Brandon Aubrey, with his 29 out of 32 field goals and 16 consecutive makes to start his time playing, definitely shows that kind of consistency, which is pretty impressive, honestly.

Another thing is how they handle the pressure. The kicking position is, in some respects, unique in that it often comes down to one kick, one chance, to win or lose a game. Think about what happened with Brett Maher in the playoffs; it shows just how much weight is on that one player's shoulders. A great kicker can shake off a tough moment and come back strong, which is a real mental challenge, you know? It’s not just about leg strength; it’s about having a calm mind when everything is on the line.

And then there's the idea of accuracy. It's pretty wild that over the course of the last 27 years, the Cowboys have somehow found three of the seven most precise field goal kickers when they were just starting out. That's a testament to, perhaps, a good eye for talent or maybe just some good fortune. But it means that for a good chunk of their recent history, they've had some very, very reliable feet on their roster. This focus on accuracy is, in a way, a hallmark of successful kicking.

How have former Dallas Cowboys kickers changed over time?

The way kicking spots on professional football teams often change around is, honestly, a pretty common thing across the league, and the Dallas Cowboys are no exception. From the very early days with Allen Green and Dick Bielski, the approach to the kicking game has, in some respects, surely evolved. Back then, it might have been a bit more straightforward, but as the game has gotten more specialized, so too have the demands on kickers.

We've seen a shift from what might have been more general athletes handling kicking duties to highly specialized players like Dan Bailey, who came into the league as a dedicated placekicker. This specialization means that players are spending their entire careers honing that one skill, which, you know, probably leads to better results overall. Brandon Aubrey's path from Major League Soccer to the NFL kicking spot is another example of this kind of unique journey, showing how diverse backgrounds can lead to success in this very specific role. It's pretty interesting, really, how players find their way to this spot.

The emphasis on statistics and precision has also, arguably, become much more pronounced. The fact that we're talking about make percentages and consecutive field goals, like Aubrey's 16 in a row, shows how much the data plays a part now. Teams are always looking for that edge, and a reliable kicker who can consistently put points on the board is a very, very valuable asset. This kind of focus on numbers means that kickers are under a lot of scrutiny, and their performance is tracked very closely, which is just how things are now.

The Current Scene - Following Former Dallas Cowboys Kickers

It's always interesting to see what happens to players after their time with a team, especially for folks who used to kick for the Dallas Cowboys. Greg Zuerlein, for example, who used to kick for the Cowboys, is now in a spot where he's going to be one of many seasoned players around the league trying to find a new team ahead of the 2025 season. The New York Jets, as a matter of fact, let him go, which means he's now looking for his next opportunity. This kind of movement is pretty typical in professional football, honestly, as teams are always making changes to their rosters.

The kicking position, perhaps more than any other, can be very, very fluid. Teams are constantly looking for the best fit, and sometimes, even good players find themselves needing to move on. It's a reminder that careers in professional sports can be, in a way, unpredictable. You might have a great season, and then the next year, you're looking for a new team. It’s just how the business works, you know?

For players like Dan Bailey, who had a long and impressive time playing with the Cowboys, their legacy is pretty much set. But for others, like Zuerlein, their journey continues, and fans will be curious to see where they land next. It’s part of the ongoing story of professional football, with players moving from team to team, trying to find their niche. It really shows how much goes on behind the scenes in the league, you know, beyond just what you see on game day.

What's next for some former Dallas Cowboys kickers?

For someone like Greg Zuerlein, who used to kick for the Dallas Cowboys, the next step is pretty clear: finding a new team. Being let go by the New York Jets means he'll be working to show other teams he can still contribute. This often involves trying out for different teams or waiting for an opportunity to open up, especially as the next season gets closer. It's a very, very competitive part of the league, honestly, with many players vying for a limited number of spots.

Other folks who used to kick for the Dallas Cowboys, like Dan Bailey, have moved on from playing altogether. For them, "what's next" might involve a quieter life, perhaps coaching, or just enjoying their time away from the game. It's a natural progression for many athletes, you know, to transition into the next phase of their lives after a long career. Every player's path is a little different once they step away from the field.

And then there are those who might not be in the league anymore but still have their stories told, like Tom Dempsey. Their impact on the game, or their unique experiences, live on in the history books and in the memories of fans. So, for some former Dallas Cowboys kickers, "what's next" might simply be their place in the team's long and storied past, which is, in a way, a pretty cool thing to have.

The Cowboys' Kicking Story - From Past to Present

The Dallas Cowboys have, honestly, remained one of the teams with the most history in the National Football League, even though they haven't won a championship in a good while lately. Their times when they won Super Bowls repeatedly in the 1970s and 1990s are a big part of that story, and the kickers, in their own way, played a part in those successes. You can learn about the Dallas Cowboys' path through the 1970s, remembering the good times and the tough ones, the big-name players, and moments you won't forget, and the kicking game was always a piece of that picture.

It’s pretty clear that the role of the kicker, while sometimes overlooked, is a very, very important one in the context of a team's overall journey. From the very first folks handling the kicks to the consistent players of today, each one has added a piece to the Cowboys' long story. The constant search for that reliable foot, that person who can be trusted when the game is on the line, is something that has, in some respects, always been a part of the team's strategy.

The Cowboys' approach to finding kickers has, in a way, brought them some really talented individuals. The fact that they've somehow found three of the seven most precise field goal kickers when they were just starting out over the last 27 years is, honestly, a pretty remarkable thing. It speaks to a certain level of success in identifying talent, even in a position that often sees a lot of turnover. It’s just how the team has, you know, managed to keep things going.

Every Kicker In Dallas Cowboys History, Ranked By Football Fans

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