Cowboys HC shuts down one George Pickens narrative

The Dallas Cowboys got star wide receiver George Pickens to sign his franchise tag tender.

Nevertheless, given his projected market value, character and production, some argue he may still threaten to sit out if he doesn't get a new deal.

The Cowboys have publicly ruled out giving him a contract extension this year.

However, head coach Brian Schottenheimer believes Pickens will be out there from the start for one simple reason: He's just in love with the game of football. 

Brian Schottenheimer says George Pickens won't hold out

“I think because George would play this game for a dollar as much as he loves football,” Schottenheimer said, per Cowboys insider Joseph Hoyt. “These guys that love playing the game, they love playing the game.”

As noble as that sounds and as much as that should be the primary motivation for all players and coaches, that's not usually the way it goes.

Nevertheless, when asked about whether he and the team will have any further talks with Pickens about his status, the second-year head coach was also quick to dismiss that notion.

“I don't think there's any reason for us to have that [conversation],” Schottenheimer said. “That's not what we plan on doing.”

The Cowboys have clearly made up their minds regarding Pickens and, given their current financial situation and Pickens' history of volatile character, it's hard to blame them.

That said, Pickens has also been somewhat unpredictable, and having him on board now doesn't mean he'll be on board by the time OTAs get underway.

He'd risk losing money with every absence, but knowing that he can probably get much more than the $27.3 million he'll make under the franchise tag -- which offers no long-term financial security -- that might be a risk worth taking for the former Georgia star.