Why It Might Be Time for the Cowboys and Jonathan Mingo to Part Ways
The Dallas Cowboys made noticeable progress under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in his first season calling the shots. But despite some strides on that side of the ball, the team fell short of a playoff berth - a clear signal that more roster fine-tuning is coming this offseason.
While the offense wasn’t the root of Dallas’ problems in 2025, there’s still room for change. One name hovering near the chopping block is wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. The 24-year-old didn’t just struggle last season - he all but disappeared, and the Cowboys may be better off moving on before the situation becomes more of a distraction than a developmental project.
Mingo’s NFL Journey: From Promise to Plateau
Mingo came into the league with plenty of promise. At Ole Miss, he flashed the kind of upside that gets scouts excited - 112 catches, 1,758 yards, and 12 touchdowns during his college career. That production earned him a second-round selection by the Panthers in 2023, going 39th overall.
But the transition to the NFL wasn’t smooth. Mingo never quite found his footing in Carolina and was traded to Dallas ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, along with a seventh-round pick, in exchange for a fourth-rounder. It was a calculated risk by the Cowboys - a low-cost swing at a player who, at least on paper, could provide help alongside CeeDee Lamb.
That help never arrived.
Mingo’s stint in 2024 included just six games, five catches, 46 yards, and no touchdowns. Some fans were willing to give him a pass - midseason trades can be tough, especially for a young wideout learning a new playbook on the fly. But the hope was that with a full offseason in Schottenheimer’s system, Mingo could finally carve out a role.
That didn’t happen either.
In 2025, Mingo was active for only six games and caught just one pass on five targets - a 25-yard grab. That was the extent of his impact.
Meanwhile, Ryan Flournoy stepped up as the team’s third wide receiver, and KaVontae Turpin logged a career-high 380 offensive snaps. Mingo, once a promising prospect, was firmly on the outside looking in.
The Numbers - and the Depth Chart - Don’t Favor Mingo
Looking ahead, Mingo’s path to playing time in Dallas is narrow. Assuming George Pickens remains in the fold, Mingo is no higher than the fifth receiver on the depth chart - and even that might be generous. The Cowboys still have Parris Campbell, Traeshon Holden, and Justin Barron under contract heading into 2026, all of whom will be competing for roster spots.
And let’s not forget: the draft is coming. Free agency, too. Jerry Jones has never been shy about bringing in competition, and with the Cowboys currently more than $29.1 million over the cap, decisions are coming.
Releasing Mingo would save the team roughly $1.9 million - not a game-changing amount, but enough to help address more pressing needs like running back or safety. Every dollar counts when you’re trying to patch holes on a roster that’s trying to get back to postseason relevance.
A Fresh Start Could Benefit Both Sides
This isn’t about blaming Mingo. Sometimes, a player and a team just don’t click.
The Cowboys gave him a shot, but the fit never materialized. Now, with younger players emerging and the financials tightening, it’s hard to justify keeping a roster spot for a receiver who’s contributed so little.
For Mingo, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs. He’s still young, still athletic, and still has time to rewrite his NFL story.
There are teams out there in need of wide receiver depth - teams that might be willing to take a flyer on a one-year, prove-it deal. Whether it’s a squad like the Titans, Browns, or Chiefs, someone will likely be intrigued by the college tape and the untapped potential.
But in Dallas, the writing’s on the wall. The Cowboys took a chance, and it didn’t pan out.
That happens in this league. The important thing now is making the right call for the future - and for both sides, that probably means going their separate ways.