FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens remains absent from the team’s voluntary offseason workouts during their opening week, though head coach Brian Schottenheimer reports the player is “handling his business” and maintaining strong communication with the organization.
The Pro Bowl receiver put his name on a $27.3 million franchise tag contract just over a month ago but has chosen to stay away from team facilities. Pickens faces no obligation to appear until the team’s required minicamp scheduled for June 16-18.
“Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He’s got a football camp this weekend that he’s doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it’s voluntary and he’s taking care of his business.”
The 25-year-old receiver delayed signing the one-year deal for two months before committing to the contract that pays him three times more than his previous four-year rookie agreement.
Before April’s draft, Pickens informed the Cowboys of his intention to sign the franchise tag, leading to rumors that Dallas might consider trading him. Team leadership quickly dismissed any such possibilities, and Pickens signed approximately one week following the draft.
Following his acquisition from Pittsburgh in a trade last season, Pickens flourished playing opposite CeeDee Lamb, recording personal bests with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as part of one of the league’s top offensive units.
Lamb enters his second season under a four-year, $136 million deal that places him fourth among NFL receivers with a $34 million annual average.
Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones has expressed the organization’s long-term commitment to Pickens, who has been working with quarterback Dak Prescott during the offseason.
“I’m not sure exactly what they do,” Schottenheimer said. “You guys know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they’re here, whether it’s this time of year, whether it is in the summer, they always go someplace. They’ll go someplace this summer and train and throw, and it’s a chance for them to develop their timing.”
