The Cowboys have yet to have talks with Pickens over a long-term contract, leading some to think No. 3 could skip the offseason program.
The Dallas Cowboys' contract situation with George Pickens is still bubbling away beneath the surface as the offseason continues.
But we know that it doesn't take much for it to come blasting out and be headline-worthy news.
However, it has to be said that the Cowboys have approached this situation a little differently than they did with Micah Parsons.
Firstly, there have been no public barbs thrown at Pickens, and secondly, and perhaps most importantly, Dallas, at least right now, doesn't want to discuss anything in the media.
That's a significant change.
But one thing that hasn't is the front office not engaging in contract talks, as Jerry Jones stated at the owners meeting that he hasn't spoken to George.
That left some to think Pickens could follow CeeDee Lamb's lead when No. 88 missed the majority of the offseason workouts as he was waiting for his deal.
Does Jerry envision something similar happening?
"I don't have a thought about expecting him or not. Don't know that one way or the other," Jones said. "I know he's working out with, throwing with our quarterback. So all of that's going good. I don't have anything out of the ordinary to comment about regarding him, franchise tag, all of that is normal to me."
We will take the fact that Pickens is doing offseason work with Dak (and that he is vacationing with Lamb) as all positive.
But ...
We know that players holding out, or holding in (being at practice but not practicing), is a staple of contract negotiations, but Lamb's situation saw his game become a shell of itself early on.
CeeDee said it took him a while to realize he wasn't the player he thought he was because of all the missed practices. Timing was off with Dak Prescott; it was just ugly.
Pickens likely won't want that, and nor will Dallas.
The July 15 deadline seems far away, but the way the Cowboys conduct business, that deadline is coming like a freight train.
So time will tell if the Cowboys, who have said all the right things about Pickens and his future, truly mean what they say.
Jerry stated he has plans for Pickens to be a Cowboy for a long time, and while most fans scoff at that, and rightly so, the proof will be in the actions of Dallas' billionaire owner.
Pickens holding out of the offseason activities and even training camp isn't good for anyone.
Which is why agreeing to a long-term deal before the true circus starts should be the only thing on Dallas' mind.