George Pickens basically made his decision to attend the Cowboys’ mandatory minicamp when he made the decision to accept the one-year franchise tender.
By taking the tag, Pickens put himself under contract for 2026. That made him susceptible to more than $100,000 in fines if he missed the mandatory minicamp.
If Pickens wanted to skip the mandatory minicamp without penalty, he could have just not taken the tender. If he hadn’t accepted the franchise tender, he could have missed everything (including training camp and the preseason) without losing a penny.
The only risk from not taking the tender comes from the possibility that the tender will be rescinded. It’s unlikely Pickens feared that outcome; if he were free and clear of the restrictions of the franchise tag, he’d surely do better than $27.298 million on the open market — especially with the top of the market now north of $42 million.
Taking the tender sends the message that Pickens has accepted his situation — and that he has decided to make the most out of it. To prepare himself to have another big year, even if that means getting tagged again.
Despite generating 1,493 receiving yards (and becoming the most feared option in the Dallas passing game) in 2025, Pickens needs to do more to make people forget about his time in Pittsburgh. Even if his attitude flowed logically and naturally from the team’s failure to attempt to get the most out of his skills.
With another solid season, or two (if necessary), Pickens will be in line to become a free agent — and to potentially reset the market.
