OXNARD, Calif. — Any lingering concerns about wide receiver George Pickens bringing contract frustration into the upcoming Dallas Cowboys season were soundly put to rest after Pickens had a strong training camp and quarterback Dak Prescott wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Addressing media members as the Cowboys wrapped up their final training camp practice in Oxnard, California, Prescott offered high praise for Pickens, who reported to camp on time and performed as a standout player despite entering the season on the franchise tag without a long-term extension.
“He has showed up and been George. I can’t say it has surprised me just because that’s what I’ve expected out of him from the moment he’s been here and what he’s shown us,” Prescott said.
‘The Guy Wants To Play Football’
Pickens signed his non-exclusive franchise tag in late April, and after the July 15 deadline passed without a multi-year deal, league rules dictate he must play out the 2026 season before contract talks can resume next winter.
Rather than letting the uncertainty linger, Pickens immediately set the tone for the offense in Southern California, pairing high-flying highlights with steady practice intensity.
“Going into training camp, playing on the (franchise) tag, the guy wants to play football and he wants to be around his teammates,” Prescott said. “You just get a vision of that every day and what that looks like when he gets on the field. He’s able to just fully be George, bringing the energy, making the catches, making the plays, obviously with what he brings to this offense he showed last year.”
Pickens will play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tender. Dallas acquired the talented wideout from the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was impressed with Pickens’ play in training camp, which is a good sign that the WR won’t be a distraction this season despite not getting a long-term deal.
“He was as dialed in in meetings as I’ve seen him since he’s been here, just following along, questions,” Schottenheimer said. “I think you’re going to see a very motivated George Pickens going into the season. And I think that’s great news for us and maybe bad news for the rest of the league.”
Taking The Offense To ‘Another Step’
Prescott emphasized that while Pickens proved his dynamic playmaking ability during his debut season in Dallas, the focus for 2026 is evolving how the coaching staff deploys him alongside Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb.
“Now it’s about taking another step. Not only for him and his game, but how we’re going to use him, how we’re going to use him as decoys, how other people are going to complement, how him and CeeDee (Lamb) go hand in hand,” Prescott noted. “You gotta set your game plan up for both of them.”
With training camp in Oxnard officially concluded and the team returning to Texas for the remainder of the preseason, Prescott made it clear that Pickens satisfied every expectation QB1 had set for him heading into the year.
“He’s done everything I’ve expected of him,” Prescott said. “He’s put himself in a great position here leaving Oxnard.”
Pickens Was Brilliant In 2025
In his first season with the Cowboys, Pickens was nothing short of spectacular. He finished with 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns en route to making his first Pro Bowl.
Pickens enters this season with 267 receptions for 4,270 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns with the Steelers and Cowboys. He played in two playoff games with Pittsburgh in 2023 and 2024, putting up 10 catches for 137 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Pickens and Co. begin the 2026 season against the New York Giants. Pickens had six catches for 77 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown against the Giants last season.
