The Dallas Cowboys made a move at the NFL trade deadline, but it wasn’t the deal most fans were hoping for. During his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted that the franchise was on the verge of acquiring a wide receiver they had liked since the NFL draft.
Fans speculated about several high-profile players rumored to be on the trading block, including Cooper Kupp, Courtland Sutton, and Mike Williams. Instead, the Cowboys are bringing in wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers.
“Trade! The Cowboys are acquiring WR Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Panthers for a 2025 fourth-round pick, per sources,” reported NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on November 5, 2024. “Jonathan Mingo ran a 4.46 40-yard dash with a 39.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-9 broad jump at 6-2, 220 pounds at the 2023 combine. He has traits for Dallas to develop and a chance to contribute sooner rather than later.”
Athlon Sports’ Mike Fisher is among those critical of the move, questioning the wisdom of trading a fourth-round pick for what he described as a “bench warmer.”
“Jonathan Mingo is your Cowboys trade get that #JerryJones is so excited about,” Fisher posted on X on November 5. “6-2, 220 Panthers bench-warmer with 12 catches. (Former second-round pick, however.)”
NFL Fans Are Calling Out the Cowboys & Jerry Jones for the Trade
Fans took to social media to voice their discontent with the Cowboys’ modest acquisition. Jones has faced criticism for his previous “all-in” comments given the team’s lack of significant moves this past offseason.
“Horrible move by Jerry Jones,” one fan commented.
“SELL THE TEAM JERRY,” another fan exclaimed.
“Congrats to Dan Morgan on fleecing Jerry,” remarked one observer.
“How did we get a 4th for him ,” a Panthers fan wondered.
“The Dallas Cowboys gave up more to get Jonathan Mingo than the Kansas City Chiefs did to get DeAndre Hopkins,” NFL analyst Robert Griffin III pointed out. “Lord have mercy.”
What You Need to Know About New Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo
While there is skepticism about the trade, there are reasons for Cowboys fans to remain optimistic. Mingo, just 23 years old, has been stuck in a struggling Panthers offense for the past two seasons.
Selected by Carolina in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft with the No. 39 pick, Mingo had 43 receptions for 418 yards in 15 games (including 14 starts) in 2023. However, he has recorded just 12 catches for 121 yards and no touchdowns through nine games in 2024, still searching for his first career touchdown.
Mingo showed impressive athleticism leading up to the 2023 draft, running a 4.46-second 40
