Aubrey backs Kane’s NFL potential but cites age as major hurdle

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has publicly endorsed England striker Harry Kane’s potential to transition from professional soccer to the National Football League, citing similarities in the mental discipline required for soccer set pieces and American football field goals. Aubrey, who successfully switched codes himself, noted that Kane’s technique would likely “age gracefully” but highlighted that Kane’s current age of 32 presents a significant hurdle, as NFL teams are generally reluctant to sign kickers who begin their careers at that stage.

The endorsement emerged during the ongoing World Cup in the United States, where Kane has been engaging with the NFL environment ahead of England’s match against Ghana at Boston Stadium. Kane, a long-time admirer of the sport and friend of Tom Brady, met the Patriots mascot Pat Patriot prior to the fixture. While Kane has expressed interest in attempting NFL kicking since a successful 50-yard field goal demonstration in 2017, he remains focused on his primary career, stating in a September interview with CBS Sports Golazo that he has many years left in soccer and is aiming to lead England to its first World Cup title in 60 years.

Aubrey, who gave interviews to Talk Sport and The Athletic regarding the potential crossover, emphasised the technical parallels between the two sports. He argued that while striking a soccer ball does not automatically translate to kicking an American football, Kane’s proficiency would likely serve him well. Aubrey pointed out that the mental aspect of taking a set piece or penalty in soccer is very similar to the concentration required for an NFL field goal, suggesting that Kane’s existing skill set provides a strong foundation for the transition.

However, the structural realities of the NFL present formidable challenges for any late-career switcher. Aubrey highlighted the cutthroat nature of the kicking position, noting there are only 32 jobs available in the league. He recalled his own journey, which involved three years of training, including time with the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions, before securing an NFL roster spot. Aubrey noted that NFL teams are generally reluctant to sign kickers who are older when they start their careers, a demographic hurdle that Aubrey believes could impede Kane’s prospects given his current age.

Despite these institutional barriers, Aubrey acknowledged that Kane’s status as a global superstar could potentially bypass some of the traditional gatekeeping mechanisms. He suggested that if Kane were to formally express interest, at least one team would likely be willing to provide a tryout, allowing a special teams coach to assess his viability. For now, however, the striker’s focus remains firmly on the pitch, with his recent performance against Croatia underscoring his continued dominance in soccer rather than any imminent move to American football.