George Pickens: Everything you need to know

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that Pickens won't take part in team drills at mandatory minicamp, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Pickens has reported for the start of Dallas' mandatory minicamp, as despite his desire for a long-term deal with the team he would have been subjected to fines for any absences. Though Pickens signed his franchise tag with the Cowboys back in April, he abstained from voluntary workouts with the team during spring. Schottenheimer said the plan is for Pickens to go through a normal ramp-up period after the start of training camp in July and for the 25-year-old wideout to practice in full shortly thereafter, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com.

Pickens was present for his physical Monday prior to the Cowboys' mandatory minicamp, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. There had been some speculation whether Pickens would show up for minicamp based on the Cowboys' unwillingness to negotiate a long-term deal with the star wideout. However, he signed his franchise tag back in April and would have been subject to fines if he didn't report for mandatory practices this week after he's skipped out on voluntary workouts this offseason. Pickens is headed into his age-25 season and coming off a career year in 2025 after he caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns across 17 regular-season contests. The team likely wants to see Pickens do it again before committing to him long term. If he's able to have another big season, Pickens will be looking at $30 million-plus per year on a multi-year pact next offseason.

Pickens hasn't been present for voluntary OTAs, but he remains in communication with the Cowboys and is expected to show up for mandatory minicamp June 16-18, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Pickens signed his franchise tag for $27.3 million in late April after the Cowboys made it public knowledge that they wouldn't sign him to a long-term deal (and also didn't want to trade him). Cowboys GM Jerry Jones, EVP Stephen Jones and HC Brian Schottenheimer have all hinted that they expect Pickens to play out 2026 under the tag without issue, while Pickens himself hasn't said much, letting his actions (signing the tag) do most of the talking. His absence from voluntary practices may just be a matter of reducing injury risk ahead of another contract year.