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George Pickens is not with the Dallas Cowboys during the first week of voluntary offseason practices, while coach Brian Schottenheimer says the receiver is “minding his business” and that their communication has been good.
Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise tag a little over a month ago, but has stayed away from the team. The Pro Bowler is not required to report until the mandatory minicamp on June 16-18.
“I contacted (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He has a football camp this weekend that he’s doing. So communication is good and, as you know, it’s voluntary and he’s minding his own business.”
Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year deal worth three times what the 25-year-old made on his four-year rookie deal.
Pickens told the Cowboys before the draft in April that he intended to sign the franchise tag, sparking speculation that Dallas could try to trade him. The Cowboys made it clear they had no such plans. He signed the label about a week later.
Acquired last year in a trade with Pittsburgh, Pickens thrived alongside CeeDee Lamb, finishing with career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) for one of the NFL’s best offenses last season.
Lamb is entering the second year of a four-year, $136 million contract that ranks fourth among NFL receivers with an average annual value of $34 million.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has said the club has long-term plans for Pickens, who has spent time this offseason with quarterback Dak Prescott.
“I’m not sure what they do exactly,” Schottenheimer said. “You know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they’re here, whether it’s this time of year, whether it’s in the summer, they’re always going somewhere. They’re going somewhere this summer and they’re going to train and they’re going to pitch, and it’s a chance for them to develop their timing.”
Associated Press information.
