George Pickens was in attendance as the Dallas Cowboys held their first day of mandatory minicamp at The Star in Frisco on Tuesday, June 16. However, two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy wasn’t pleased with Pickens deciding against holding out after Dallas placed a franchise tag on him.
LeSean McCoy Disagrees with George Pickens’ Decision to Skip Holdout
On an episode of the “Speakeasy” podcast, McCoy heard his co-host and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho’s strong prediction that Pickens would not remain with the Cowboys after learning he planned to report to minicamp. Acho also cautioned Cowboys fans against getting too optimistic until they see Pickens actually lined up against Daron Bland.
However, just a few hours after Acho’s take, Pickens spoke to reporters and confirmed he would attend all mandatory team activities and play under the franchise tag in the upcoming season.
McCoy, meanwhile, advised Pickens against playing on a franchise tag at all.
“You should not play on a franchise tag,” McCoy said on the podcast. “There’s no guarantee for you. You gotta forfeit your deal that you can get through your guarantee.
“Don’t play on a franchise tag. The truth is, we are ballplayers. We have bills. We have family, and we like money. Imagine having a whole year when he ain’t making any money. You need that money.”
“[George Pickens] SHOULD NOT play on the franchise tag! YOU NEED THAT MONEY!”
– @CutonDime25 gives George Pickens some sound advice after Pickens said he’s going to play on the franchise tag
WE ARE LIVE RIGHT NOW ➡️ https://t.co/w7TZspCM0E pic.twitter.com/BeuJIYmGLX
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) June 17, 2026
McCoy’s take came after Dallas chose not to offer Pickens a long-term extension, instead placing him on a one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag. The Cowboys made the decision even though Pickens had a breakout year last season, setting career highs with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns.
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Pickens’ appearance at Tuesday’s practice was seen as a positive sign for the Cowboys after he previously skipped voluntary workouts. He also avoided fines in the process, seemed upbeat, and even made it clear that he has no intention of staging a holdout.
Pickens said that his agent, David Mulugheta, influenced his decision-making to continue his run with Dallas. He also said he never pressed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about why a long-term deal wasn’t reached.
However, the wide receiver made it clear what his focus is on right now.
“Personally, what’s important to me is winning,” Pickens said. “Like I said from the beginning, I always wanna bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that’s never had that feeling. So that’s really the most important part. Everything else is what they control.”
Pickens finished last season with an 88.4 score in the PFSN WR Impact, ranking No. 3 in the nation.
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