Brandon Aubrey’s Take on 4-Point Field Goal Rule

What the Proposed Rule Entails

The United Football League experimented with a new scoring idea this spring: any field goal from 60 yards or longer automatically counts for four points instead of three. On the surface, the change rewards teams that boast kickers with massive legs, giving them an extra weapon in the scoring arsenal. For the Dallas Cowboys, Brandon Aubrey is already recognized as one of the league’s elite kickers, so a rule that adds value to long attempts could further elevate his impact.

Aubrey Raises a Strategic Concern

Aubrey, however, warns that the rule creates an odd incentive for offenses to stay put near the 50‑yard line. “I think it’s a little weird,” he told ESPN, noting it forces play‑callers to “question your playcalling around that 50‑yard line area.” He continued, “It’s interesting for kickers that have the leg to get it there… But kind of perverses the incentives of football where the goal is to get it as close to the other person’s half as possible.” Aubrey summed it up: “I like it for the kickers. I think it’s a nightmare for the playcallers.”

Impact on the Cowboys and Game Outcomes

Because Aubrey already functions like a “cheat code” for Dallas, a four‑point field goal would magnify that advantage and force defenses to adjust. If his longest kicks suddenly counted for an extra point, offenses could consider staging drives specifically to set up a 60‑yard attempt, even if it means sacrificing yardage. The rule also changes how deficits are viewed; a team down three could now win instead of merely tying the game. This shift would ripple through every aspect of game planning, from clock management to play selection.

Why This May Not Fit the NFL

While the concept is intriguing, the NFL’s tradition‑heavy culture may resist such a change. The league values continuity and historically aligns scoring rules with the sport’s evolution, so keeping the game “aligned historically” might prove difficult. As Aubrey noted, the idea could remain a novelty rather than a permanent fixture on the professional level. The league will likely monitor the UFL’s experiment before deciding if a similar adjustment belongs on the NFL field.