Brett Maher News

Maher is slated to be a free agent after signing a one-year deal with the team in Sept. 2022. The 33-year-old had a strong season, making 29 of his 32 field-goal attempts, and totaling 137 points, which was tied for third in the NFL. However, his regular season performance was overshadowed by missing six of his final seven extra-point attempts to close out the season, including Week 18 against Washington and the team's two playoff games. Assuming he does not ultimately return to Dallas, he'll likely be able to find an opportunity to earn a chance elsewhere.

His impressive performance during the regular season, which saw Maher finish tied for third in the NFL with 137 points, was the good news. The bad? His dreadful postseason numbers, as he missed five of six PATs in two playoff games. The kicker is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the rough ending to his campaign could put his future with the Cowboys in doubt. With special-teams coach John Fassel expected to return to Dallas in 2023, however, Maher will likely get a chance to prove his postseason woes were just an aberration.

In the wake of Maher missing his first four extra-point attempts this past Monday at Tampa Bay, Dallas seemingly had a problem at kicker as they advanced in the postseason. While coach Mike McCarthy and special teams coordinator expressed trust in Maher on Tuesday, owner Jerry Jones was less forthright, saying the team would "take a look" at the situation, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. The Cowboys ended up signing Vizcaino to the practice squad one day later, but ultimately Maher will continue to handle all kicking duties this weekend.

Despite making 50 of 53 point-after tries during the regular season, Maher raised some question marks regarding his job security during Monday's 31-14 wild-card win at Tampa Bay after missing his first four extra points. He proceeded to make his final PAT following Dallas' last touchdown, and coach Mike McCarthy and special teams coordinator John Fassel both noted Tuesday that Maher should retain his duties in the second round of the playoffs, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Owner and GM Jerry Jones was less committal, though, saying the team would "take a look" at the situation, and now another placekicker is in the building. As a result, Maher's status will be one to monitor as the weekend approaches to get a sense of his odds to keep kicking for the Cowboys on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones was less willing to provide an endorsement of Maher, saying he would "take a look" at their kicking situation after the 33-year-old missed point-after attempts on the Cowboys' first four touchdowns of Monday's game before converting his final extra-point try in the fourth quarter. As of Wednesday, the Cowboys have yet to bring in any other kickers for tryouts, so Maher looks like he'll get the chance to put Monday's nightmarish outing behind him. Though Fassel believes Maher was dealing with the "yips" Monday, the Cowboys apparently have optimism that the kicker will be able to bounce back with a strong week of practice. Maher earned himself the longer leash after turning in an outstanding regular season in which he missed just six kicks (three field goals, three extra points) and went 9-for-11 on attempts of 50-plus yards.

It was a mind-bogglingly bad performance by the entire Dallas offense to close out the regular season, and Maher's first missed PAT since Week 13 on his only kick of the day was the cherry on top. The 33-year-old still set a new career high with 50 made PATs this season and tied his career high with 29 FGs, including a 9-for-11 showing from 50 yards or longer, and Maher may not be able to afford any mistakes in Monday's wild-card clash with the Buccaneers.