Aubrey signed a record kicker deal by pushing for speed. Pickens, however, accepted a franchise tag, revealing contrasting Cowboys contract philosophies.
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys and Brandon Aubrey finally agreed to a new contract, making the All-Pro the highest-paid kicker in football.
And a few days ago, the Cowboys and George Pickens - another Pro Bowl-level stud - also came to an agreement of sorts.
For Aubrey? A four-year, $28 million extension with $20 million guaranteed (all tacked on to his $5.7 mil deal for this year) means that Dallas' unique weapon will likely be a "Cowboy for Life.''
Dallas placed a second-round tender on Aubrey, meaning other teams were free to negotiate with the All-Pro, and if a deal was reached and Dallas didn't match, the franchise would receive a second-round pick.
With that deadline passing, things heated up, with Aubrey stating that he was the one who instigated talks by telling his agent to get in touch with the Cowboys.
"I had been pushing to get it done as fast as we could, which isn’t the way a lot of agents like to do it," Aubrey said. "They want to slow play it and the teams like to slow play it. I wanted both parties to kind of come to the table and get it done faster, and both parties were willing to do that. It’s just exciting to get it done before training camp."
So as always, it takes two to tango.
The approach with Pickens has of course taken a different path.
Many are still coming to terms with the Cowboys' decision to end contract talks with Pickens, which means he'll play on the franchise tag in 2026.
The good-news update from inside The Star, though? Pickens is signing that deal ... which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists is a fine one for all involved.
Said Jones of getting Pickens' signature: "Based on what's his his best interest, it doesn't surprise me at all ... It's in his best interest for the rest of his life to come in here and have the greatest season with Dak Prescott and pick up $27 million on his way on the side.
"Go out there and set himself up."
Does that mean Pickens is also going to be a "Cowboy for Life''? Someday? There are no guarantees there; a holdout this spring and/or summer remains in play.
But a signed contract is a positive. And Dallas and Pickens have that going for them.
Aubrey told his agent to go to Dallas and get this deal thrashed out, and the Cowboys were more than willing to come to the table. The pair agreed on a deal that makes Aubrey the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.
And somebody in the Pickens camp chose to shoulder-shrug to the inevitable and sign.
So contracts can be completed quickly if both parties want them done that way. Aubrey's setup proves that.
Or ... agreements can be reached even though both parties might not want the same things. Pickens' setup proves that, too ... At least for now.