George Pickens was benched to start Dallas' game against the Raiders on Monday, along with CeeDee Lamb. The two had missed the team bus before the game in Las Vegas. What looked like a disciplinary move is now being called a warning for the future.Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr. shared an ominous tweet on Friday about Picken's future."Pickens did not make the team bus in Vegas," Hill Jr. tweeted. on Friday. "I saw it in real time. I asked before game. Cowboys lied about it. They had big game and they won. No big deal now. This will be brought up when it’s time talk contract. Just wait. Nobody will be laughing it off then." On Friday's episode of "105.3 The Fan," Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones spoke about coach Brian Schottenheimer’s decision to bench Lamb and Pickens for the first series."He’s not gonna play favorites with anybody," Jones said. "He felt very strongly that that was part of it. I think a lot of people thought that they had to be together because they are great friends, but believe it or not, one was (because) of the night before leading into the morning and the other one was missing the (team) buses."Jones also praised Schottenheimer’s approach."Hats off to Schotty for being consistent, being authentic, being genuine and doing the right thing by the team," Jones added. "They did what you would expect them to do, both went out and played one hell of a game. Maybe we should’ve sent the whole team wherever they were."George Pickens makes his Dallas future clear amid contract questionsGeorge Pickens has made the stance about his future clear as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. He wants to stay in Dallas."I’d love to be back," Pickens said. "I’d love to be back. Especially with (CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott), all the guys really."However, money is a challenge. Dallas already pays Prescott and CeeDee Lamb big contracts. The team may need to use the franchise tag to retain George Pickens.When asked if he would sign it, Pickens said:"I’d probably have to wait until that comes. I can’t really see into the future."Pickens is having a breakout season. He has 58 catches for 908 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. He ranks No. 2 in the league in receiving yards. His strong connection with Dak Prescott has turned the Cowboys’ passing attack into one of the best in the NFL.