Cowboys' Jerry Jones reveals 'long-term plans' for George Pickens; Brian Schottenheimer comments on situation

But it remains unclear how those plans are going. Cowboys chief operating officer and co-owner Stephen Jones refused to comment on contract negotiations with Pickens on Monday. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, meanwhile, said he has spoken with the WR but is unsure if he'll attend the beginning of the team's offseason program. 

"I haven't pushed him on that," the coach said. "I mean, again, we're all going through the process. It's almost April. We're still a couple of weeks away. It's going to play the way it plays out. Again, it's all voluntary. We'll see where it goes."

The negotiation process could lead to more offseason drama in Dallas. Pickens could hold out of more of the offseason program if he doesn't receive a deal soon. 

Now, Pickens' situation differs from the standoff with former Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons last offseason, which culminated in him getting traded to the Green Bay Packers.

Unlike Pickens, Parsons was still on his rookie contract, not the franchise tag. The tag gives the Cowboys more leverage. If the WR opts to skip training camp or a regular-season game, he'll be subject to fines.

Pickens may play the 2026 season on the tag if he and the Cowboys can't strike a deal before the deadline. Another year would help Dallas better determine if he can remain productive and stay out of trouble. The Pittsburgh Steelers questioned the WR's maturity throughout his three-year tenure with the team, which was one reason they traded him to the Cowboys in May 2025.

Regardless, the Cowboys must ensure Pickens remains in their long-term plans. In 2025, the WR ranked eighth in the NFL in receptions (93), third in receiving yards (1,429) and tied for eighth in touchdown catches (nine), earning a second-team All-Pro nod.