The Dallas Cowboys and their dynamic wide receiver, George Pickens, find themselves at a crossroads as they have yet to ink a long-term contract extension. Currently, Pickens is playing under the nonexclusive franchise tag, a move the Cowboys made back on February 27.
With the clock ticking and no clear signs of a new deal on the horizon, head coach Brian Schottenheimer is left wondering if Pickens will show up for the team's upcoming offseason workouts. These sessions are set to kick off in just a few weeks, and the uncertainty looms large.
Schottenheimer, speaking from the NFL meetings in Phoenix, shared his thoughts with Todd Archer of ESPN. "I haven't pushed that on him," he noted.
"It's almost April. We're still a couple of weeks away.
It's going to play out the way it plays out. Again, it's all voluntary.
We'll see where it goes."
Pickens is fresh off a stellar 2025 season, racking up 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, accolades that earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. Yet, despite this breakout performance, Dallas seems cautious about committing to a long-term deal after just one standout year. Adding to the complexity are some off-the-field issues that have surrounded the 25-year-old.
The potential absence of Pickens from the Cowboys' offseason workouts could signal a step towards his possible departure from Dallas, especially if the desired extension remains elusive. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.