George Pickens has not attended the early phases of the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason workouts or the first week of OTAs, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer said communication has been good. With a mandatory minicamp starting June 16 and Pickens signed to his fra
George Pickens still hasn’t shown up for the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason rhythm.
During a Thursday press conference, head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the wide receiver has not been in attendance during the team’s first week of OTAs. Pickens also didn’t change course for the early phases of the team’s offseason workouts.
Schottenheimer’s message was calm, but also clear about the stage of the calendar. He said communication with Pickens has been good while emphasizing that all of the work at this point is voluntary. The mandatory part is coming.
The Cowboys will hold mandatory minicamp starting on June 16, and Schottenheimer said Pickens’s plans for those workouts haven’t been discussed. “We haven’t discussed that, but I expect he’ll be here,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he’s in a good spot, but I know he’s handling his business.”
Pickens isn’t walking into this as an open-ended situation. He has signed his franchise tag, which means he will be subject to fines if he does not report to the minicamp.
Dallas also appears determined to keep the timing tight on the contract front. The Cowboys have said they will not be negotiating with Pickens about a long-term deal before the July deadline to sign one. They have also said they have no interest in trading him.
Put together, the expectation on the Cowboys’ side is straightforward: Pickens will play out the year under the tag before the push for a multi-year agreement resumes after the 2026 season.
The schedule now narrows to one question for the Cowboys and their fans: will Pickens be in the building when the mandatory minicamp begins on June 16?
George Pickens Dallas Cowboys OTAs mandatory minicamp franchise tag Brian Schottenheimer June 16 July deadline long-term deal fines NFL
So he’s just not going to OTAs? Cool cool.
I don’t get why they’re acting like this is calm. If he’s on a franchise tag he should show up, period. Also “communication has been good” sounds like PR speak to me.
Mandatory minicamp June 16, fines if he doesn’t show… but they “aren’t discussing” his plans? That’s backwards lol. I heard he might be refusing because they won’t trade him, but also they said they have no interest in trading him so idk
Pickens playing with fire. Franchise tag means he can still skip until the fine part right? I swear these NFL guys always think they can negotiate later, like July deadline is just a suggestion. Cowboys fans will be mad either way, and Schottenheimer always talks like everything’s fine even when it’s clearly not.