Pickens Skips Cowboys OTAs, Schottenheimer Cites Good Communication

Pickens Skips Cowboys OTAs, Schottenheimer Cites Good Communication

Wide receiver George Pickens is absent from Dallas Cowboys voluntary offseason workouts, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer saying Thursday that communication with the player has been positive and that Pickens is running a football camp this weekend. Pickens is under no obligation to attend organized team activities, which are voluntary under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.

Pickens signed his one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag roughly a month ago after waiting approximately two months to do so. Before the April draft, he informed the Cowboys of his intention to sign the tag, briefly prompting speculation about a possible trade – which the organization quickly dismissed. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, Pickens posted career-best numbers in his first Dallas season: 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns alongside fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb, who is entering the second year of a four-year, $136 million contract.

Schottenheimer also noted that Pickens has spent time in the offseason with quarterback Dak Prescott, a routine the coach described as part of how Prescott develops timing with receivers whether they attend OTAs or not. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has publicly stated the club has long-term plans for the 25-year-old.

Pickens must report to mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 16-18, at which point his absence would carry potential financial penalties. Until then, his status at voluntary workouts carries no contractual consequence.