Blogging The Boys
Some of the work Pickens has done leading up to minicamp has apparently come at the “Dak-yard”.
Pickens established career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) in 2025 after he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys’ decision to wait on a multiyear deal is about wanting to see more from Pickens — on and off the field — even if it ultimately costs the team more money down the line.
Pickens and Dak Prescott had a handful of throwing sessions before the offseason program began. For the break between the minicamp and training camp, Prescott has organized a trip with the skill players for workouts and team-building.
Schottenheimer did not divulge Pickens’ reaction when he was told there would not be any negotiations.
“It was me, George and Jerry [Jones],” Schottenheimer said. “We made it clear with how much we love him and what he’s done for us here, and what he’s going to do for us for a long time.”
The Cowboys want to start with just getting George Pickens back “into the system” as he reports for minicamp, his first participation in the offseason program.
Since April, the Cowboys have made clear to Pickens and his representation that they do not intend to negotiate a long-term contract with him this offseason. Jerry and Stephen Jones had a 5-10 minute phone call with Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, that Stephen Jones said went “real well, super cordial” and was “very productive.”
Pickens himself met with head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones back then as well, when the same message was communicated to him personally. During OTAs, Schottenheimer said that he and Pickens had been in communication, but there’s been no assurances Pickens will be in the facility this week.
“I expect he’ll be here, and I think he’s in a good spot,” Schottenheimer said. “I know he’s handling his business, and I know he misses his teammates. We miss him, too. You guys know how we feel about him. We love him, and this is just part of the business.”
Now that Pickens will be in attendance on Tuesday, then the question changes. What, and how much, will he do on the field?
Schottenheimer said last week that the team will be cautious with his workload in order to avoid injury.
“I have no questions he’s working, but what you don’t want to do is put a guy in here that you don’t know exactly where he’s at…” Schottenheimer said. “We’ll be smart, but there’s plenty of things he can do from the mocks to the walkthroughs to get him back into the system. If we’re cautious, it’s just because we want to be cautious. It’s not because...
