In the shadow of the star-powered receiver room, a 2014 trade acquisition is knocking on the door, and the coaching staff is finally listening.
The buzz in Dallas is all about the receivers. CeeDee Lamb is a superstar, and the arrival of George Pickens has sent expectations into the stratosphere. It’s a golden era for the Cowboys’ pass-catchers. But lost in all that excitement is a name from the recent past: Jonathan Mingo.
Acquired for a fourth-round pick just over a year ago, Mingo has been a ghost this season, buried on the depth chart and yet to suit up in 2025. While Pickens (cost: a third-rounder) soaks up the spotlight, Mingo’s price tag looks like a bargain… if he can ever get on the field. That “if” might finally be turning into a “when.”
For 11 weeks, the Cowboys’ receiver rotation behind Lamb and Pickens has been clear: Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and Ryan Flournoy have handled the duties. Mingo, who caught five passes after his arrival last fall, has been a complete non-factor, seemingly forgotten by both fans and the playbook.
But a surprise revelation from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Friday has thrown Mingo’s name back into the mix. The door to the active roster, once firmly shut, is now cracked open.
The key? It’s not just about running routes. For the last spot on the game-day roster, versatility is king. Schottenheimer made it clear that Mingo’s path to activation runs directly through the special teams unit.
“Jonathan is a guy we are excited about, we want to see him play,” Schottenheimer said. “It comes down to not just offense, but special teams as well. My big thing for Jonathan is just, hey, can you play all the spots, can you do all the different areas? So, he understands that is where he needs to go, and there’s a chance he is activated this week.“
While the offense runs through Lamb and Pickens, a team’s success is often built on its depth. The potential activation of Jonathan Mingo isn’t just about a fifth receiver; it’s about a former draft asset finally proving his value and adding another layer to a loaded roster.
In a season where every game is critical, the Cowboys might be about to unveil a new—or rather, forgotten—weapon. For Mingo, the message has been received: show you can do the dirty work, and the glory of catching passes from Dak Prescott might just follow.