After the Dallas Cowboys released veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein this offseason, they tried to replace him on the roster with two unproven assets. Lirim Hajrullahu went 4-5 in three contests with the Carolina Panthers last season. He also made a spot start in Dallas against Atlanta, but did not record a field goal attempt at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys brought Hajrullahu back this summer and placed him in a kicker competition with rookie undrafted free agent Jonathan Garibay. That competition has apparently been underwhelming enough for the Cowboys to cut Garibay and bring in another familiar face, Brett Maher.

The addition of Maher does not necessarily mean that the kicker competition is over. Reports have come out of Oxnard that the former CFL kicker was outshining Garibay prior to his release. The Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken tweeted that the Maher signing indicates the start of a new kicker competition between Hajrullahu and Maher.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Cowboys News
Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) runs on to the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium.
Cowboys’ Juanyeh Thomas opens up about Mike McCarthy after ‘fun again’ postRichard Pereira ·
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) tries to break free from Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) during the first half Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Monday, December 9, 2024.
Cowboys get ‘optimistic’ update on defensive starLorenzo J Reyna ·
cowboys, Mazi Smith
1 Dallas Cowboys player with most to prove at OTAsGarrett Kerman ·
Oct 13, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prays before the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Dak Prescott has second child with fianceeMike Gianakos ·
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Cowboys’ Osa Odighizuwa talks up new DC Matt EberflusRichard Pereira ·
image thumbnail
Cowboys’ Tyler Guyton makes brutally honest admission on 2024 performanceDouglas Fritz ·

Maher has a history with the Cowboys, but not all of it was pleasant. Maher routinely drilled long kicks, but missed from shorter distances almost just as often. In 2019, Maher nailed the longest field goal in the NFL that season, a 63-yard bomb, but his 66.7% field goal percentage was 25th in the league.

The good news for the Cowboys is that Maher is fresh off a solid year with the New Orleans Saints. Maher missed just one kick inside of 40 yards in eight games last season for an 88.9% success rate. Dallas' first preseason game against the Broncos on Saturday in Denver will be both Maher and Hajrullahu's first shot to win the job in a game setting.