PHOENIX – As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to begin their offseason program in the coming weeks, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has expressed uncertainty regarding the participation of wide receiver George Pickens, who recently received the franchise tag. The situation mirrors previous contract-related dynamics the team has navigated, but adds another layer of complexity to the Cowboys’ preparations for the 2026 season.
“And I haven’t pressured him on that,” Schottenheimer stated from the NFL’s annual league meetings in Phoenix. “I mean, again, we’re all in the process. It’s almost April. Still a couple of weeks away. Things will unfold as they need to unfold. Again, everything is voluntary. We’ll see what happens.”
The Cowboys have not engaged in contract negotiations with Pickens’ representatives since applying the franchise tag, which is valued at $27.3 million. Because Dallas did not apply the exclusive franchise tag, Pickens remains eligible to sign an offer sheet with another team. Any team extending an offer would need to compensate the Cowboys, potentially with two first-round draft picks or another mutually agreeable arrangement.
Schottenheimer is familiar with navigating similar situations. In his first season as head coach in 2025, he dealt with a contract dispute involving Micah Parsons, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Parsons attended the first two days of the offseason program but did not participate in drills. He attended both the mandatory minicamp in June and training camp, but did not practice before being traded to the Green Bay Packers just before the start of the 2025 season.
“Appear, GP loves being here. And we love GP,” Schottenheimer said. “We have plans for GP to be with us for a long time, so we’re going to let the purely business aspects of this thing run its course and see how it unfolds.”
Pickens, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade last May, established career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine) in the 2025 season. He was named to the second-team All-Pro and also earned a Pro Bowl selection. His performance has made him a critical component of the Cowboys’ offensive strategy.
Conversations between Schottenheimer and Pickens have primarily focused on how the receiver will be utilized within the offensive scheme, rather than his immediate participation in the offseason program. This suggests the Cowboys are prioritizing a long-term solution and maintaining a positive relationship with their star receiver.
“What I learned about him [in 2025] was that he likes to be moved around,” Schottenheimer explained. “And, frankly, we realized that when CeeDee [Lamb] was out, because CeeDee has been, precisely, the player we used to move around. So, during that stretch where he performed spectacularly, we were moving him all over the field. That’s what he’s excited about; he’s looking forward to it.”
The situation with Pickens highlights the complexities of managing player contracts and maintaining team cohesion in the modern NFL. The franchise tag provides a temporary solution, but a long-term agreement is crucial for both the player and the team. The Cowboys will need to carefully navigate these negotiations to ensure they retain a key offensive weapon and remain competitive in the NFC.
The Cowboys’ next official team event is the start of the voluntary offseason program, scheduled to begin in early April. Whereas Pickens’ attendance remains uncertain, the team will continue preparations for the 2026 season, focusing on developing their offensive and defensive strategies. The outcome of the Pickens contract negotiations will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the Cowboys’ future success.
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