Dallas Cowboys end minicamp with George Pickens on franchise tag and no holdouts

The Dallas Cowboys concluded their mandatory minicamp on Thursday in Frisco, Texas, without the contract disputes that have marked recent offseasons. Wide receiver George Pickens reported to the minicamp on the franchise tag and indicated he will remain with the team through the rest of the 2026 offseason and season.

CBS Sports reported that Pickens recorded 1,429 receiving yards in 2025, ranking third in the NFL.

Quarterback Dak Prescott said the absence of holdouts marks a change from recent years. "Obviously we're used to it, so it wouldn't be absurd to have it, but it is good we won't have that this year," Prescott said Thursday. Prescott noted that Pickens is already integrated with the offense.

"Speaking of him … That guy makes it easy," Prescott said. " The 2025 season ended with edge rusher Micah Parsons traded to the Green Bay Packers one week before the start of that season. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb re-signed on a four-year, $136 million extension on August 26 after holding out of the entire offseason program.

Prescott re-signed on a four-year, $240 million extension hours before kickoff in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. 8 million restructured contract after holding out into training camp in 2023. Prescott played the 2020 season on the franchise tag and re-signed on a four-year, $160 million contract in 2021 after being tagged again.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million extension on September 4, 2019. The 2022 offseason was the only year in the last seven prior to 2026 in which the Cowboys entered training camp with little contract drama. Prescott is the team's longest-tenured player.