DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys placed a second-round tender on offensive lineman T.J. Bass on Saturday, matching the move earlier made for kicker Brandon Aubrey.
According to Cowboys team reporter Tommy Yarrish, the tender for Bass is worth $5.76 million. Both Bass and Aubrey are restricted free agents, meaning they have accrued three NFL seasons and are now playing on expiring contracts.
Under the restricted free agent rules, both players are allowed to negotiate with other teams, but Dallas retains the right to match any contract offer. If the Cowboys decline to match, the team signing the player would have to send a second-round draft pick to Dallas as compensation.
While Aubrey’s tender drew significant attention because analysts expect him to eventually become the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, the move to tender Bass also signals the team’s confidence in the young lineman.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer previously praised Bass at the NFL Scouting Combine, calling him a “stud.”
Bass has served primarily as a reliable backup guard during his three seasons with Dallas and has also taken snaps at center. He started five games during the 2025 season—three at right guard and two at left guard—and has 10 career starts with the Cowboys. Bass has played at least 315 offensive snaps in each of his NFL seasons.
Meanwhile, ESPN reporter Todd Archer confirmed that the Cowboys did not place tenders on offensive lineman Brock Hoffman or safety Juanyeh Thomas.
Without tenders, both Hoffman and Thomas will become unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team when free agency opens. Hoffman started seven games in 2025 and 16 games from 2023 to 2025, while Thomas started three of seven games last season, finishing with 26 total tackles.
The Cowboys could still re-sign either player, but if they sign elsewhere, Dallas would not receive any compensation.
