Last week, the dominant story of the Dallas Cowboys‘ offseason finally got a level of closure when free-agent wide receiver George Pickens capitulated to the team’s hardline stance on his next contract, signing the the franchise tag deal of one year, $27 million. Technically, the Cowboys and Pickens still have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal that will keep him in Dallas beyond next year, but the front office has been clear in saying it has no interest or intention in undergoing those talks. So, Pickens is basically locked in on the contract he signed.
Presumably, the Cowboys saw him in person to get that signature on the deal. But now, the big question around Pickens is when the team might see him back at The Star. There have been reports that Pickens has been working out with quarterback Dak Prescott, and social media videos of him hanging out with star receiver CeeDee Lamb, but as the team’s workout program moves to the voluntary OTAs, it’s unclear whether we’ll see Pickens take part in those.
Or maybe it is clear: He’s not going to do so.
Cowboys Will Open OTAs Next Month
The OTAs are, again, not required and very often, veteran stars do not attend (quarterbacks, though, often do). But given some of the chatter that has gone on around Pickens and the team as the Cowboys took their firm stance on his contract, it would be encouraging to see Pickens pop up–OTAs are scheduled for three different periods (June 1-2, June 8-9, June 11) next month.
Just don’t count on it.
As veteran beat writer Jon Machota said this week: “One of the big news items, just that George Pickens did finally sign that franchise tag, so, that’s a good thing to get that, kind of out of the way. Maybe that keeps things kind of chilled out for a bit. I don’t think he is going to be at offseason workouts. But I do think he will be at training camp now, so that’s obviously of note for anybody who was worried about that situation dragging on for a while.”
Brian Schottenheimer ‘Not Sure’ When George Pickens Will Be Back
Now, that does leave Pickens as a question mark still for the mandatory minicamp teams hold in mid-June. For the Cowboys, that will be from June 16-18, and Pickens will be required to attend–or be fined if he does not. He could simply pay the fine and skip that camp, if he is still seeking to send a message to the team about his dissatisfaction with the one-year tag deal.
But coach Brian Schottenheimer has not been overly concerned about Pickens’ status.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Schottenheimer said, “Was not surprised he signed the tender, and the communication with GP along the whole offseason has been great. As you guys all know this is all voluntary but, yeah, I think at the end of the day, I am excited to see him when I see him and I am not sure when that’s going to be.
“I just know that he has got his—he knows where he wants to get better and improve, and I am looking forward to seeing him back and around when he gets here.”
Whenever that may be.
George Pickens Likely to Stay Away From Cowboys After Contract News