New Dallas Cowboys receiver Jonathan Mingo was caught completely off guard by his recent trade from Carolina to Dallas.
“It kind of blindsided me because my agent told me he didn’t think anything was going to happen. There’s a slim chance,” Mingo shared on Thursday through the Cowboys’ official site. “So that slim chance happened. I’m happy to be a Cowboy, fresh start for me, new beginnings, God put me here for a reason.”
Dallas acquired Mingo by trading a 2025 fourth-round pick to Carolina and receiving Mingo plus a seventh-round pick in return. For a team known for finding solid players in the mid-rounds, this move surprised fans and analysts. However, Dallas relied on its strong pre-draft evaluation of Mingo, who was selected by the Panthers in the second round in 2023.
Head coach Mike McCarthy explained the decision: “You got to trust the draft process because you put so much into it, that grade always carries weight when he does go somewhere else and becomes available.” McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We definitely liked Mingo in the draft process, and he has a lot of the characteristics that you look for. … We’re excited for the opportunity to have him.”
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Dallas sees Mingo’s potential to grow within the team, looking at him as an asset not only for the current season but also for future years. At 6-foot-2, Mingo’s size and talent offer potential that the Cowboys are eager to develop, despite his challenges in Carolina. Over 24 games with the Panthers, Mingo caught 55 passes for 539 yards but faced issues with route separation and consistency.
Reflecting on his experience, Mingo acknowledged there was room for growth in his performance. “There are things I felt like I could’ve done better [in Carolina], just trying to be more consistent, trying to prove to them what I can be,” he admitted. Now, with the Cowboys, he’s motivated to turn a new page, saying, “I’m here now so I can prove to people what I can do and show them the best version of me.”
Dallas’s front office is optimistic that Mingo’s fresh start with the Cowboys will unlock his full potential, setting him up to thrive under new leadership and with a supportive team environment. The Cowboys are hopeful that with their support, Mingo will find his stride, bringing new energy to their receiving corps.
Now with a new team and fresh goals, Mingo is embracing the chance to show the best he can offer as he begins his journey in Dallas.
