Wide receiver George Pickens made news recently for missing the team’s voluntary workouts. The Dallas Cowboys had failed to negotiate a new long-term contract and instead signed a fully guaranteed one-year tender worth $27.3 million.

Former NFL player Torry Holt, who was with the St. Louis Rams for 10 seasons and the Jacksonville Jaguars for one, shared his thoughts on Pickens on the Up & Adams show on Wednesday.

Host Kay Adams asked Torry Holt about his pick on who will surpass Calvin Johnson, aka Megatron’s record of 1,964 receiving yards in a single season in 2012. The list featured AJ Brown, Puka Nacua, George Pickens, Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Justin Jefferson.

“I believe George Pickens is the most athletic out of all these guys on this list,” replied Holt. “As he continues to mature and clean himself up and really dial in on what it takes to be a WR in the NFL and show consistency and production, he has it all.”

Holt praised Pickens for his ability to run, catch, run after the catch, block, and do everything it takes on the football field when he locks himself into his job. However, Holt questioned the WR’s ability to lock himself in for 16 or 17 games so that everyone can see how good he is at his maximum performance. 

With talks about his consistency and absence from the voluntary sessions, Pickens showed up at the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and addressed the media. 

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

With the WR now back in the building for the mandatory minicamp, the upcoming season gives him the opportunity to show his consistency, which Holt believes is the final piece missing from his full-potential play. 

Pickens Clears the Air on His Offseason Absence

Per Gridiron Heroics, Pickens revealed on Tuesday that his absence at the voluntary OTAs was guided by his agent’s advice and assured that he didn’t have any grievances against the team.

The 25-year-old also shared that he isn’t disappointed with the lack of a long-term deal and plans on focusing on football and letting his representatives handle his business. 

The WR credited quarterback Dak Prescott for being one of the key reasons for his return to practice. Reportedly, the two have been practicing away from the team facilities throughout the offseason.

Pickens admitted that the relationship he’s built with his teammates “made the idea of skipping camp easy to dismiss”. 

His previous season saw him register his career-best 1,429 yards, 93 catches, and nine touchdowns. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer anticipates the WR to be back in full swing for training camp in July. 

Do you think Pickens can outdo his previous season?

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi