Cowboys Get Encouraging Update on George Pickens Amid Contract Dispute

George Pickens is coming off a career season in what is effectively a contract year with the Dallas Cowboys, so it came as little surprise that he was seeking a long-term extension this offseason.

However, the Cowboys have elected not to negotiate a new deal with him - at least for now - and Pickens ultimately signed the $27.3 million franchise tag. That situation often creates tension, given the lack of long-term security that comes with playing on the tag.

As a result, Pickens has not attended any of the team’s voluntary OTA sessions.

That said, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters this week that Pickens is expected to be present for mandatory minicamp, which begins June 16. That’s encouraging news for Dallas, as Pickens is expected to play a major role in the team’s success this season.

"I expect he’ll be here," Schottenheimer said Thursday. "I think he’s in a good spot, but, again, I know he’s handling his business. I know he misses his teammates, [and] we miss him too. You know how we feel about him. We love him. This is just part of the business."

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That doesn’t necessarily mean Pickens will be heavily involved on the field during minicamp. The Cowboys experienced a similar situation with Micah Parsons last year while he was seeking a long-term extension.

Although Parsons reported to minicamp, he spent much of the time on the sidelines, which only fueled further speculation before he was eventually traded to the Green Bay Packers.

Pickens has given no indication that he plans to take a similar approach, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has remained adamant that the star receiver is part of the franchise’s long-term plans.

"I don’t know," Jones said. "The franchise tag has an automatic timeframe on it and all of us will - and it’s my plan and our thought - that we’ll all be working within the timeframe of the conditions of the franchise tag. It should play itself out is the best way for me to say it.

"Make no mistake about it, we have long-term plans in mind for Pickens."

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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 8:04 AM.