The Unheralded Drama of Preseason: Brandon Aubrey’s Historic 66-Yard Field Goal
In a preseason chartered typically by overlooked moments and muted expectations, Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has delivered a jolt of dramatic flair that reverberates across the NFL. In the Cowboys' commanding 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Aubrey launched a 66-yard field goal that echoed through the halls of NFL history. This monumental feat may not alter the league standings, but it certainly sets a new precedent for extraordinary preseason performances.
Preseason games rarely capture the public's imagination, often sidelined as mere warm-ups for the grueling regular season ahead. Yet, Aubrey’s incredible field goal has flipped the script, momentarily elevating preseason action to a spectacle of elite athleticism and precision. While the stats and records of preseason contests don’t find their way into the NFL's official record book, standout moments like Aubrey's serve a crucial role in highlighting emerging talents and heightening preseason intrigue.
The significance of Aubrey’s achievement is magnified when placed in context. His 66-yard bomb ties the NFL's overall record for the longest successful field goal, a mark set by the Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker in a nail-biting scenario in 2021. Tucker’s kick, one of professional football's most iconic moments, sealed a 19-17 victory for the Ravens over the Detroit Lions, underscoring both its athletic and situational drama. While Aubrey's kick lacks the high-stakes tension of Tucker’s field goal, it radiates with its own form of historical importance.
Prior to Aubrey's heroics, the longest field goal in a preseason game stood at 65 yards—a record set by Ola Kimrin in 2002. Kimrin, then vying for a spot during the Denver Broncos' training camp, temporarily etched his name into history with the remarkable kick. Despite Kimrin’s record-setting preseason performance, his NFL career was ephemeral, comprising just five regular-season games with Washington in 2004. Kimrin’s career field goal success rate stood at 60%, with notable misses from beyond 50 yards.
Between Kimrin's era and today, the NFL has evolved, with a total of 29 field goals surpassing the 60-yard mark recorded in regular-season play between 2003 and 2023. With these advancements, only a select few have managed to outdo Kimrin's preseason record—among them, only Justin Tucker and now Brandon Aubrey.
A closer look at the science and skill behind Aubrey's 66-yarder further elevates its magnificence. NFL's Next Gen Stats provide fascinating insight, estimating that Aubrey’s kick would have been successful from an astonishing 72 yards. Such data points highlight not just the achievement but the formidable capability of Aubrey's leg strength. "Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice," underscoring his elite range and mechanical consistency.
The preseason, as it winds to its inevitable conclusion, sets the stage for Aubrey and the Dallas Cowboys. While preseason games may seldom equate to the drama and gravitas of regular-season clashes, they serve as the proving grounds for unsung heroes and unheralded talents. In Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys may have unearthed a kicker capable of delivering game-changing moments, not just in the controlled spectacle of preseason but in the pressure-cooker environment of the regular season.
As the regular season looms, the echoes of Aubrey's astonishing kick will continue to resonate. The impact of a preseason moment might be transient, but its significance can shape futures and craft legends. In a preseason that has mostly flown under the radar, Brandon Aubrey has soared, leaving an indelible mark—not just as a footnote in preseason lore, but as a promising signpost for what lies ahead.