As trade rumors swirl and voluntary workouts begin, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer remains confident in his star receiver’s commitment before Dallas enters a high-stakes mandatory minicamp.
FRISCO - All eyes will be on Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens this offseason as the NFL world waits to see exactly what his plan of attack is.
But those "eyes'' can continue to rest for now, as Pickens is - as expected - sitting out this week's voluntary OTAs.
He's signed the franchise tag, locking him into 2026 with coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense at $27.3 million, but that hasn't stopped some from thinking a protest of sorts could be forthcoming.
That isn't the vibe, however, that Schottenheimer is giving off as he met the media here inside The Star on Thursday.
Schottenheimer said that his "communication is good'' with the Pro Bowler, that he talked to Pickens on Wednesday, and that he expects the wideout to attend mandatory work.
"He’s taking care of his business,'' the coach said.
So ... mandatory minicamp on June 16 is the date everyone inside this building has circled.
What Pickens does will tell us a lot about where he is mentally, given that his future is only secure for one year.
Will he have a bruised little toe that renders him unable to practice - meaning a sort of "hold-in''? Or will he be suited up and on the field getting ready to attack Year 2 with Dak Prescott?
Cowboys Nation obviously hopes it's the latter.
Meanwhile, ESPN has a thought on the matter that orders on the outrageous.
A "hot take,'' offered often by Adam Schefter has him mentioning the possibility that Dallas will at some point this summer trade Pickens.
But again, Schefter - who has been wrong at almost every turn in his Pickens-related reporting this offseason - never notes a "source'' here ... he just sort of floats it out there.
Our view?
Remember, Pickens did a mountain of work to restore his reputation in 2025, and you can make the case that he did repair a lot.
Yes, there were a few hiccups along the way, but for the most part, Pickens was exactly what Dallas wanted him to be.
So, the perception of Pickens and his "behaviorial baggage'' is changing. ... and that csn eventually pay off for him in his next contact.
The path Pickens takes this offseason not only could impact his Cowboys career in 2026, but potentially what happens beyond that. And Schottenheimer seems to have great faith in what that path will be.
