Some of the work Pickens has done leading up to minicamp has apparently come at the “Dak-yard”.
Pickens established career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) in 2025 after he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys’ decision to wait on a multiyear deal is about wanting to see more from Pickens — on and off the field — even if it ultimately costs the team more money down the line.
Pickens and Dak Prescott had a handful of throwing sessions before the offseason program began. For the break between the minicamp and training camp, Prescott has organized a trip with the skill players for workouts and team-building.
Schottenheimer did not divulge Pickens’ reaction when he was told there would not be any negotiations.
“It was me, George and Jerry [Jones],” Schottenheimer said. “We made it clear with how much we love him and what he’s done for us here, and what he’s going to do for us for a long time.”
The Cowboys want to start with just getting George Pickens back “into the system” as he reports for minicamp, his first participation in the offseason program.
Since April, the Cowboys have made clear to Pickens and his representation that they do not intend to negotiate a long-term contract with him this offseason. Jerry and Stephen Jones had a 5-10 minute phone call with Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, that Stephen Jones said went “real well, super cordial” and was “very productive.”
Pickens himself met with head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Jerry Jones back then as well, when the same message was communicated to him personally. During OTAs, Schottenheimer said that he and Pickens had been in communication, but there’s been no assurances Pickens will be in the facility this week.
“I expect he’ll be here, and I think he’s in a good spot,” Schottenheimer said. “I know he’s handling his business, and I know he misses his teammates. We miss him, too. You guys know how we feel about him. We love him, and this is just part of the business.”
Now that Pickens will be in attendance on Tuesday, then the question changes. What, and how much, will he do on the field?
Schottenheimer said last week that the team will be cautious with his workload in order to avoid injury.
“I have no questions he’s working, but what you don’t want to do is put a guy in here that you don’t know exactly where he’s at…” Schottenheimer said. “We’ll be smart, but there’s plenty of things he can do from the mocks to the walkthroughs to get him back into the system. If we’re cautious, it’s just because we want to be cautious. It’s not because we don’t think he’s not working. We think he’s putting in the work, preparing to have a hell of a year.”
George Pickens is avoiding a fine by showing up for minicamp, but the clock is still ticking to get a long-term deal done.
George Pickens
This should be a common denominator for everyone, but reports this morning say that the Dallas Cowboys expect George Pickens to show up starting tomorrow.
Pickens signed the one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag the Cowboys placed on him, which means the team could fine him if he skipped any mandatory activities. The fine for missing the full minicamp would be $107,911.
Clarence Hill of DLLS Sports reports that Pickens plans to show up to the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp, which starts tomorrow.
The Cowboys and Pickens have until one month from today to reach a long-term agreement, or else Pickens will play this year under the one-year deal and become a free agent again in 2027.
If he does actually show up this week, that is a massive win for the team and himself, no drama that everyone wants, no questions about if Pickens truly has turned over a new leaf. If he shows up, it does nothing but smash the most wanted drama by every single media person.
With all this talk about the Cowboys top dogs at WR, it will be a banged-up secondary looking to match up against them for the start of summer practices.
CB DaRon Bland
Ezeiruaku wasn’t the only starter who had offseason surgery. Bland’s foot continues to be an issue, as it’s caused a severe decline in his performance over the last two seasons after his record-setting 2023, All-Pro campaign. A second surgery has limited him this offseason, but he too is expected to be ready for training camp.
Reports from last week were that his rehab ramped up from the first OTA session to the second, so if he shows more progress in his rehab this week, it will look like there can be a true three-way competition between he, Shavon Revel and free-agent signing Cobie Durant for the starting boundary spots.
Safety Jalen Thompson
This one may have snuck up on people, but the club’s biggest free agent signing of the offseason is dealing with a upper body injury. Thompson suffered a pectoral strain and was working with the rehab group during the second session of OTAs. There’s zero reason for him to press the issue, as he is an integral part of the transition being led by new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Don’t forget about the other element of the Cowboys offense that should make them dangerous, continuity at running back and an ascending offensive line.
Contract Status
Years Left: 3
2026 Cap Hit: $3.89 million
Williams’ deal averages $8 million per year total, but the Cowboys structured the first year to lower his salary and increased the bonus money for some cap relief. With Williams now a 26-year-old back, Dallas probably won’t mess around with his contract too much more to preserve their options in the future. For 2026 at least, if he resumes last year’s level of play, Williams should be a very cap-friendly contributor on offense.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting RB
Roster Chance: 100%
Dallas’ open situation for the backup spots at running back is no secret. From Malik Davis to Blue, Mafah, and even Israel Abanikanda, there are multiple viable candidates to fill the depth chart. But the top spot is clearly Williams’ this year. He has the style of a workhorse back, with versatile enough skills as a receiver and blocker to never come off the field unless he needs a breather.
The Cowboys will likely find ways to use the backups, especially if Blue emerges as a trustworthy change-of-pace option. They don’t to ride Williams into the dirt, either for a hopeful playoff run now or to keep him viable during the remaining years of his contract. But we fully expect him to still get the lion’s share of the touches, and that should be a positive thing for Dallas’ offense.
Daily discussion question: What do you feel like you learn through minicamp happening?
