Dallas isn't negotiating with Pickens this year on a long-term deal, and as it turns out, the Pro Bowl receiver is just fine with that.
It was an ideal day at The Star as the Dallas Cowboys saw George Pickens show up for work and be the infectious personality we know him to be.
Pickens was limited in his on-field work, as expected, doing only some individual drills, but it was what he said during his media availability that many wanted to hear.
With Pickens now not a holdout candidate after signing his franchise tag, which will pay him $27.3 million in 2026, it was business as usual.
But the lingering feeling of the Cowboys not even wanting to negotiate a long-term deal with him has left many confused, as it is an odd stance to take.
So that brings us to George and his thoughts on the Cowboys plan here.
Did he ask Jerry Jones why the franchise has chosen not to negotiate?
"No, that's really his decision," Pickens said. "So, if I do ask him why, it's still his decision. So, like I never asked him why. I don't think it's no point to ask him why because he's going to control it either way."
And that is true.
Pickens asking why won't get him the answer he wants and certainly won't shift conversations toward a long-term deal.
George also stated that he won't be holding out of training camp either, another tick for the Cowboys' front office, as the Pro Bowl receiver said all the right things.
And then there is this.
When asked if he is prepared to play on the tag and then revisit his future next offseason, Pickens had perhaps the ideal response.
"Definitely just to help the team," he said. "The tag and all that, it's football first. You see what I mean? So definitely play football first like I did last year and let my agent worry about it really."
Perfect, George. Football first, and Pickens made sure the media knew the importance of the word "first" with the emphasis he placed on it.
Now, attention turns to Pickens replicating his 2025 form in the hopes of getting a long-term deal, whether that be with the Cowboys or elsewhere.
So, is it important for Pickens to play well so he can hit the negotiation table in a better position next offseason?
"I wouldn't say super important for me personally," he added. "What's important to me is winning. Like I said from the beginning, I always want to bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. So, that's really the most important part to me."
And again, an ideal response.
It was a great day for Cowboys Nation, and the front office too.
Pickens showed up, was the usual charismatic personality we have come to know, did some on-field work, and then hit his media availability out of the park.
He knows the game, but he also knows that football comes first, and his future will take care of itself.
The good offseason vibes have continued, folks.
