Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens avoided making headlines during his first Cowboys offseason despite entering the 2026 season under a franchise tag. However, one Cowboys insider pointed out one key factor behind Pickens' approach.

During Episode 203 of the Doin Alright podcast on July 21, the Dallas Morning News journalist Calvin Watkins told host Bryan Broaddus about the mindset shift Pickens might have had regarding his contract situation based on past incidents of the franchise.

“I think he saw what happened with [Micah] Parsons - they have the same agent [David Mulugheta]," Watkins said during the Doin Alright podcast. "So he saw what they did with Dak Prescott - Dak, remember, didn't get his last deal - we were in Cleveland, right? That was like 24 hours before kickoff. So I think the Parsons thing might have influenced him a little bit here."

Watkins remembered Dak Prescott’s contract situation, which was stalled due to the length of the new extension, but was finally settled (four-year, $60M per year) before the 2024 season opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Similarly, Parsons had a "hold-in" during the 2025 offseason due to failed contract negotiations and was eventually traded to the Green Bay Packers a week before the 2025 season. 

“So he's seen all these things, and I think he's also matured as a man,” Watkins revealed during the Doin Alright podcast (YouTube @crownglobalmedia). “Maybe the old George Pickens, the one we saw in Pittsburgh, might have been like, 'I'm not showing up.' Now, we saw a little bit of it, because he didn't show up to the voluntary stuff, but he showed up to the mandatory stuff, 'cause he wants his money, doesn't want to get fined.”

According to the CBA, the prescribed fine for missing the mandatory minicamp totals $107,911 for three days.

Watkins believes that Pickens showed up to the minicamp to avoid unnecessary fines, though he missed the voluntary OTAs.

Besides commenting on Pickens' mindset, Watkins also shared about the wide receiver situation.

Cowboys' offensive tweaks could unlock another Pro Bowl season for George Pickens

Watkins believes that either one of the wide receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Pickens, could land a Pro Bowl for the 2026 season based on how the Cowboys offense adapts to the offensive scheme tweaks made during the offseason.

"As good as the offense was - I think they finished seventh in the league last year and Dak's in year 11," Watkins said during the same episode of the Doin Alright podcast. "Dak is fantastic, so there are some adjustments you've got to make. But I do expect one of those two guys, Lamb or Pickens, to get to the Pro Bowl."

He believes the offensive coordinator Klayton Adams will make necessary tweaks to counter the defensive attention on Lamb and Pickens, while expecting WR3 Ryan Flournoy to step behind them.

Though the Cowboys have concerns at left tackle, Watkins believes the Cowboys' offense could continue to thrive under Prescott's leadership.

How do you think Pickens has shown maturity? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar