George Pickens Expected to Sit Out vs Cowboys After Contract News

George Pickens’ contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys remains tense but settled for now, as he signed the franchise tag for one year, worth $27 million. The Cowboys have no plans to pursue a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline, effectively keeping Pickens locked into the tag for the near term. Despite social media hints of workouts with Dak Prescott and time with CeeDee Lamb, Pickens is not expected to participate in the upcoming voluntary OTAs.

Key points:
– OTAs are scheduled for June (June 1–2, June 8–9, June 11), but participation is uncertain for Pickens.
– A veteran beat writer suggested Pickens likely will skip OTAs but could attend training camp; the team’s stance remains firm on his contract.
– Mandatory minicamp runs mid-June (June 16–18), where Pickens would be required to attend or incur fines; he could choose to skip in protest, though this remains speculative.
– Head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated he isn’t concerned about Pickens’ status and looks forward to his return whenever that happens.

Overall, the situation centers on the franchise-tag contract and whether Pickens will attend voluntary workouts or wait for training camp, with the Cowboys signaling no immediate move toward a long-term extension.

Key Takeaways:
– Pickens signed a one-year, $27 million franchise tag; long-term talks are not planned.
– Unclear participation in voluntary OTAs; potential attendance at mandatory minicamp remains a possibility.
– Coach communications emphasize readiness to work with Pickens whenever he returns.