Harry Kane has long been open about his dream to swap the football pitch for the American gridiron, and now one of the National Football League’s top players has publicly endorsed the England captain’s ambition. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who successfully transitioned from professional football to the NFL, believes the Three Lions skipper has the “elite” ball-striking ability needed to excel in American football.

A remarkable cross-sport ambition

England’s record goalscorer has repeatedly mentioned his interest in becoming an NFL kicker after retiring from European football. That aspiration has received a major boost thanks to Aubrey, who recently signed a record-breaking $28 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys, making him the highest-paid kicker in the league’s history.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Aubrey was full of praise for the Bayern Munich forward’s potential to succeed across sports. When asked what advice he would offer Kane, Aubrey said, “Keep scoring goals. He’s got a chance to be one of the all-time elite soccer players—or football players, I suppose. He’s a brilliant striker of the ball, and that skill will age well for a kicker. He definitely has the talent if he chooses to do that. It’s not quite as thrilling as being England’s top goalscorer, so I hope he keeps playing for as long as he can.”

Age could be the biggest hurdle

While Aubrey was quick to highlight Kane’s ability, he also noted that age might be a limiting factor. The England star turns 33 in July and is currently in talks over a possible contract extension at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. NFL franchises typically prefer younger prospects, even for specialised kicking roles.

“All jokes aside, he could definitely do it whenever he wanted,” Aubrey added. “But hopefully he’s not too old. I suspect he’ll be a bit on the older side once he finishes with football, and NFL teams usually don’t like starting out with older kickers.”

From software engineer to NFL standout

Aubrey’s own journey provides an inspiring example for Kane. After being released by USL side Bethlehem Steel in 2018, Aubrey took a break from sports to work as a software engineer before retraining himself as a kicker. His unconventional route to the Cowboys included a spell in the experimental USFL before securing his breakthrough in Dallas.

“I was drafted in 2017, played one year in the MLS but never made my senior debut, then spent a season in the USL,” Aubrey recalled. “I played fairly well but decided to retire and became a software engineer. I did that for three years while training to be a kicker. For a long time, it felt like the opportunity would never come. Fortunately, America loves to experiment with sports, and when the USFL came along, I got my chance.”

Eyes firmly on World Cup success

Before any serious move towards the NFL, Kane’s immediate focus remains on leading Thomas Tuchel’s England team at the 2026 World Cup. Preparations, however, have faced an unusual setback in Missouri, where police confirmed that two suspects were detained after a team vehicle was targeted—reportedly resulting in the theft of Kane’s custom boots.

Despite the distractions off the pitch and ongoing speculation about a future in American football, Kane’s current mission is clear: to guide England to long-awaited glory on the world stage.

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