Dan Bailey Dallas Cowboys Career Overview
Dan Bailey is a former NFL kicker who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2011 to 2014, joining the team as an undrafted free agent and quickly becoming a reliable scorer. During his Cowboys tenure, he appeared in 64 regular-season games and converted 116 of 134 field goal attempts, establishing himself as one of the more accurate kickers in franchise history Forbes NFL salary data. His performance helped Dallas maintain competitive field position in multiple playoff pushes, including the 2014 season when the Cowboys reached the NFC Divisional Round.
Bailey's role with the Cowboys was defined by consistency rather than highlight-reel plays, as he routinely handled extra points and field goals inside 50 yards with minimal drama. He was part of a stable kicking unit that allowed the coaching staff to focus on offensive and defensive play-calling without frequent special-teams disruptions. His departure after the 2014 season opened the door for a new kicking competition that shaped the Cowboys' special-teams strategy in subsequent years.
Dan Bailey Dallas Cowboys Contract and Earnings
Dan Bailey signed a four-year rookie contract with the Dallas Cowboys in 2011, with total guaranteed money reportedly around $1.5 million and base salaries that increased modestly each season under the NFL's rookie wage scale. His final year with the team in 2014 carried a base salary of approximately $1.5 million, reflecting the league's standard pay structure for mid-tier kickers at that time OverTheCap contract details. Total career earnings with the Cowboys are estimated in the range of $6 million to $7 million across his four seasons.
After leaving Dallas, Bailey continued his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and later the New York Jets, earning additional salaries that contributed to his overall career income. His post-Cowboys contracts were shorter and less lucrative, typical of veteran kickers competing for roster spots in a league where special-teams roles are highly replaceable. Financial planning for NFL kickers often depends on longevity, and Bailey's relatively stable four-year stint with Dallas provided a solid earnings foundation compared to many of his peers.
Dan Bailey Dallas Cowboys Legacy and Current Status
Dan Bailey's legacy with the Cowboys is that of a dependable, low-risk kicker who delivered reliable scoring during a transitional period for the franchise's special-teams unit. He ranks among the top five Cowboys kickers by field goal percentage during his era, and his accuracy from inside 40 yards was a consistent asset in close games Pro Football Reference stats. The Cowboys moved on from Bailey after the 2014 season, opting for a different kicking profile in subsequent years.
As of the latest available public records, Dan Bailey has retired from professional football and is not currently on any NFL roster, with his last known team affiliation being the New York Jets in 2017. His career trajectory illustrates the typical path of an undrafted kicker who earns a roster spot through training camp performance and maintains it through consistent accuracy and reliability. The Dallas Cowboys' decision to move on from Bailey reflected the team's ongoing search for a long-term kicking solution, a challenge that has persisted across multiple coaching and front-office regimes since his departure.