After skipping the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason workout program and OTAs, star wide receiver George Pickens ended his offseason absence and showed up to the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.

Pickens signed Dallas’ one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag shortly after the draft, and despite speculation he could hold out or try to force a trade, that doesn’t seem to be the case, according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

“Cowboys WR George Pickens said he’s not disappointed that he did not get a long-term deal,” Machota posted on X. “He doesn’t plan on holding out. He will be at training camp. He said he didn’t attend voluntary OTAs because he was listening to his agent.”

Pickens was believed to be seeking a contract extension in the $30 million-per-year range. The Cowboys weren’t inclined to give it to him despite his breakout 2025 season (93 catches, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns), instead urging him to show last season wasn’t a fluke.

That challenge, coupled with helping the Cowboys get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995, is what seems to be fueling Pickens heading into 2026.

“What’s important to me is winning,” Pickens said, via Machota. “Like I said from the beginning, I always wanna bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. That’s really the most important part to me.”

If Pickens has another strong season in 2026, many expect the Cowboys to lock him up long-term along with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

If Dallas ultimately decides it can’t commit top-of-the-market money to two receivers, Pickens should have a long list of suitors lining up to give him the payday he wants.