Pickens has signed his franchise tag, but many are still unsure if the Pro Bowl receiver will turn up at The Star this offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys are planning on having George Pickens at The Star for offseason workouts; it's just a matter of when George turns up.
After signing his franchise tag, Pickens, barring a long-term extension prior to the July 15 deadline, will make $27.3 million in 2026.
But while for some, that ends any potential drama around Pickens' immediate future, others are unsure if the Pro Bowl receiver will show up once Dallas' offseason program begins for the veterans.
Granted, most aren't expecting Pickens to be present at OTAs, as those aren't mandatory, but with the minicamp that follows before training camp?
That looms as the next checkpoint for gauging the temperature for Pickens' feelings about being on the tag and what he wants the offseason to look like.
But surely the Cowboys expect Pickens to be at The Star as workouts begin, right?
Well, according to COO Stephen Jones, who was on Mad Dog Sports Radio with Adam Schein, not exactly.
"We haven't been told that, but certainly, that's what we'd expect," Jones said. "I think George Pickens has a chance to compete with CeeDee, one of the best receivers in the league, and to me, that's what makes our offense so dynamic, is to have two guys like that.
"I think George has a chance, believe it or not, to get better. Obviously, the expectations are he'll be in the building working alongside his teammates."
So Jones and the Cowboys expect Pickens to be in the building, but he never stated when.
As I stated above, OTAs are likely off the table, but the mandatory aspect of the offseason program is when George shows up. If he does participate, there will be no drama.
But if he shows up and pulls a Micah Parsons, the Cowboys could have a rather nasty offseason drama once again taking center stage.
If that happens, some think a trade could be forthcoming despite Dallas stating it won't happen.
And as Schein was asking Stephen about a potential trade, the Cowboys' COO interrupted mid-question and was as firm as he could be.
"There is zero interest in a trade for George Pickens," Stephen said.
Of course, Dallas held a similar thought on Micah and look how that turned out.
But right now, you can make the case that this is going to be a smooth offseason for Pickens and the Cowboys.
However, those mandatory practices, folks, will be the true gauge of how Pickens feels about his current situation.