Pickens has signed his franchise tender and is now expected to show up when mandatory minicamp begins.
All eyes will be firmly fixed on Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens on June 16 as that is when mandatory minicamp begins at The Star for Brian Schottenheimer's team.
Pickens has not yet been seen at the facility as OTAs got underway. Yes, they are voluntary, but Dak Prescott and a host of other veterans were seen going through their paces.
But not George.
In truth, it doesn't really matter as all of these OTAs are voluntary, so Pickens missing doesn't mean much, if anything, in the grand scheme of things.
But if he misses mandatory minicamp? Yeah, then we have a story.
Given that Pickens has already signed his franchise tag, to then not show up and be subject to fines, which, as we understand it, add up to $107,911 if Pickens misses all three days per the CBA, that makes zero sense.
So that is one reason.
Of course, for a player who will be making $27.3 million, losing $107,911 is small change, but beyond that, it will be the optics and what other teams around the league will think of George.
He worked hard in 2025 to shift the narrative surrounding him and following him from Pittsburgh, and I can make the case that if Pickens were not to show up and be okay with the fines, it wouldn't exactly paint George in the best light.
Especially if he is wanting the long-term deal he craves next offseason.
So there are two big reasons why Pickens showing up for mandatory minicamp would be beneficial for him.
One is the money factor. The other is how maybe some in the front office of the Cowboys and the league as a whole could view him. The troubles might not be completely gone.
So, it looms as a key part of the offseason, not just for Pickens, but Dallas as well.
If Brian Schottenheimer has any hope of his team improving enough to make a playoff run, George will have to be dialed in and have a good foundation of work behind him.
We have scoffed at the thought of Pickens not showing up so far, because, in truth, it doesn't matter.
But not showing up for mandatory work? Yeah, that will set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons, my friends.
