Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had previously expressed confidence that wide receiver George Pickens would show up for the mandatory minicamp, despite being signed on a franchise tag. And Pickens didn't disappoint his teammates as he showed up for the minicamp on June 16.

Pickens missed his voluntary sessions, which began on June 1, further raising speculation regarding him holding out in expectation of a long-term deal. With his return, the vote of confidence came from his teammate.

“It’s great,” Prescott said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic on June 19. “You feel his energy. You feel his presence. It’s in the locker room. Obviously, it’s out there on the football field. Everything felt good. He looks great. I know he’s going to be ready for (training) camp. The excitement, you can feel it.” 

Pickens signed the franchise tag worth $27.3 million in April, making him play with the Cowboys for the 2026 season.

Though the Cowboys have time until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal, the team had previously made its intentions clear about neither trading nor extending a long-term deal for Pickens. 

Pickens had his best campaign with the Cowboys in 2025 by recording 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. Given Pickens' production last season, Prescott believes that the wideout is capable of taking the Cowboys' offense to another level. 

“That guy makes it easy,” Prescott said, per Machota of The Athletic. “You see us just in routes on air out there, but you just go turn on the tape, that guy is going to get separation. He’s just different. He understands where I’m looking for him at the catch point, the depth. That guy’s ready.”

Prescott's remarks highlighted his growing trust in Pickens, viewing him as a key part of a strong receiving team alongside CeeDee Lamb and someone who shares the team's Super Bowl aspirations.

Now that Pickens has decided to show up, irrespective of the contract extension, his mindset about the 2026 season is crucial.

George Pickens reveals true priority entering 2026 Season

According to Garrett Podell of CBS Sports, Pickens enters the 2026 season with a 'football-first' mindset and a focus on teamwork rather than holding out for a contract extension with the Cowboys.

"What's important to me is winning," Pickens said, per Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. "Like I said from the beginning, I always want to bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. That's really the most important part to me."

The head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, too, is pleased with the maturity that Pickens has shown.

"Really great visits with George," Schottenheimer said. "Fired up to have him back, he's fired up to be here. He'll do all the mock, he'll do all the individual, and we'll just keep him out of team, just let him watch. He'll be coach Pickens today during the team period."

The coach stated that Pickens is likely to be at full strength when the Cowboys begin training camp in Oxnard, California, in late July.

What do you think of Pickens' decision to not hold out? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar