Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer ends drama following George Pickens’ OTA absence

George Pickens is not with the Dallas Cowboys during the opening week of voluntary offseason workouts, while coach Brian Schottenheimer says the receiver is “minding his own business” and their communication has been good. Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise contract a little over a month ago, but has remained away from the team. The Pro Bowler is not required to report until the mandatory minicamp June 16-18. “I communicated with (Pickens) yesterday,” Schottenheimer said Thursday. “He has a football camp this weekend. So the communication is good, and as you know, it’s voluntary and he’s minding his own business.” Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year contract that is worth three times what the 25-year-old earned on his four-year rookie deal. Pickens told the Cowboys before the draft in April that he intended to sign the franchise tag, sparking speculation that Dallas might attempt to trade him. The Cowboys have made it clear they have no such plans. He signed the label about a week later. Acquired last year in a trade with Pittsburgh, Pickens thrived alongside CeeDee Lamb, finishing with career highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) for one of the NFL’s best offenses last season. Lamb is entering the second year of a four-year, $136 million contract that ranks him fourth among NFL wide receivers with an average annual value of $34 million. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the club has long-term plans for Pickens, who spent time in the offseason with quarterback Dak Prescott. “I don’t know exactly what they’re doing,” Schottenheimer said. “You know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they’re here, whether it’s this time of year, whether it’s summer, they’re always going somewhere. They’ll go somewhere this summer to practice and throw, and it’s a chance for them to develop their timing.” Associated Press reporting.