FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens was a no-show at OTAs this week, as expected, but, just to show there are no hard feelings, Brian Schottenheimer reminded the media that they’re voluntary. Reminded us three times, in fact. Once more and I’d have expected an old Darren Hambrick punchline. Cowboys insider breaks down Dallas' 2026 schedule “What do voluntary mean?” If you’re good enough, Hambone, ...

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb celebrates with teammate George Pickens after scoring on a 74- yard touchdown reception during the first half against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News/TNS

FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens was a no-show at OTAs this week, as expected, but, just to show there are no hard feelings, Brian Schottenheimer reminded the media that they’re voluntary. Reminded us three times, in fact. Once more and I’d have expected an old Darren Hambrick punchline.

Cowboys insider breaks down Dallas' 2026 schedule

“What do voluntary mean?”

If you’re good enough, Hambone, it means you can get away with asking the question.

Pickens is plenty good, as has been noted previously in this space. Maybe the most gifted receiver in Cowboys history. That statement covers a lot of ground, some as distant as Canton.

Of course, there’s a considerable gap between “gifted” and “best,” and Pickens, artful as he was last season, has yet to make that leap. My guess is he’s got one more season to make his case. If he’s still in the running then, the Cowboys will have to make a decision.

Pickens or CeeDee Lamb?

Because you can’t afford to pay two receivers the kind of money they want long-term and expect to build a championship roster going forward. Not with Tyler Smith’s cap hit doubling in '27 and DeMarvion Overshown deserving of a financial jolt if he remains healthy. Maybe Donovan Ezeiruaku, too, not to mention Tyler Booker, if he keeps putting together nice seasons.

And what if Tyler Guyton — “One of the most athletic big men I’ve ever been around,” Schotty said Thursday — finally figures out how to block someone? Good left tackles don’t come cheap.

Bottom line is, the Cowboys have too much money invested in a handful of players as it is. They’ve got to spread it around.

For the record: The Cowboys were wise to use the tag on Pickens and make him prove that those 1,400 yards last year were no fluke. They also saw just enough of the issues that got him on Mike Tomlin’s bad side in Pittsburgh. A one-year deal for $28 million feels like a reasonable compromise, all things considered.

Pickens and Lamb give Dak Prescott one of the league’s most formidable set of receivers to choose between. If the defense, which was historically awful last year, is just league-average this fall under Christian Parker, the Cowboys should be able to hang with just about anyone.

If Pickens plays a prominent role on a playoff team, his market should also be at an all-time high. Because of his off-field issues, the Cowboys only had to pay a third-round pick to get him. He’d be worth considerably more now. How much? The Eagles just got a first and a fifth from the Patriots for A.J. Brown, who finished 400 yards short of Pickens last season and led him in drama.

All it takes is one team to think it could live with Pickens’ quirks if it’s getting a Hall of Fame talent in the bargain.

Could the Cowboys talk themselves into believing as much? Jerry Jones has done it before. T.O. comes to mind. Also Dez Bryant. Organizations occasionally make concessions when poor decisions or bad luck or both box them into a corner.

The difference in this case is they wouldn’t be in a bind if they traded Pickens. They’d still have a No. 1 receiver by pretty much anyone’s definition.

Because of his superior size and similar skill set, Pickens is a more dangerous player than Lamb. Might even make you ask why not trade Lamb instead? Don’t think I haven’t considered it. I don’t spend my afternoons napping. Unless I’m disturbed before 8, and then all bets are off.

Anyway, after considerable deliberation and further hair loss, here’s my takeaway: There’s not enough difference between Pickens and Lamb to justify the risk of trading the latter, even if he’s two years older. Lamb seems the more reliable of the two, on and off the field.

Funny thing is how well the two get along, considering they want the same football. This is not always the case with alpha receivers. Amari Cooper chafed at Lamb’s ascension. Pickens and Lamb, on the other hand, are as thick as John Turturro and George Clooney in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Boon companions, as ol’ Pete would say. Even missed the start of the Raiders game together.

Dak is a Pickens fan, too, and why not? He’s had to make do with far less. He and Pickens have worked out together this offseason just to make sure the receiver hasn’t forgotten what a football looks like.

Schotty hasn’t seen Pickens, but he talked to him on the phone Wednesday. Asked if he got any guarantees that Pickens would turn up for the mandatory sessions, he said it didn’t come up.

“But I expect he’ll be here, and I think he’s in a good spot,” Schottenheimer said. “But, again, I know he’s handling his business, and I know he misses his teammates. We miss him, too.

"You guys know how we feel about him, and this is just part of business."

The Cowboys are playing nice now because it will help them get the best version of Pickens this fall. Just the same, they showed their hand with the franchise tag. Pickens is handling his business now. With any luck, the Cowboys will have their own to do next summer.