Can the George Pickens trade help Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo?

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 Draft. At the moment, the Cowboys are at a pivotal point with wide receiver Jonathan Mingo . His short tenure with the team has now reached a critical moment where trade rumours are no longer just speculation.

Despite acquiring Pickens, there remains hope that Mingo can still develop into a valuable player for the Cowboys. Although he’s now lower on the depth chart and has yet to make a strong case for being a consistent threat in the passing game since joining Dallas, it’s still early enough to avoid writing him off completely.

Here's what you need to know about the status of Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo

So far, Jonathan Mingo has recorded 60 receptions for 585 yards in his two-year NFL career, playing for both the Carolina Panthers and the Cowboys. Those numbers are underwhelming as a former second-round pick (39th overall), especially given his physical attributes and talent.

Trading Mingo would carry significance beyond the move itself; it would reflect the Cowboys’ broader approach to roster building. It prompts questions about how the team evaluates talent, their willingness to make strategic pivots for long-term success, and how they plan to fill the gap that such a trade might create. Losing Mingo at wide receiver would certainly impact the team’s offensive capabilities.

The addition of George Pickens doesn't mean the Cowboys are done adding personnel. Stephen Jones: "I think I've said it forever: 365 days a year is player acquisition. Certainly, if we see something that improved our football team we’d make a move."

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) May 15, 2025

Beyond team strategy, the talk of trading Jonathan Mingo highlights a larger NFL narrative: the league’s ever-changing landscape where players must constantly prove their worth, and teams need to stay flexible and bold in their moves to stay competitive. For the Cowboys, this decision underscores their dedication to excellence, as they continuously assess and adjust their roster to maintain their edge.

The recent acquisition of Pickens could actually work in Mingo’s favour. It provides him with additional time—something he hasn't had much of since entering the league—to refine his skills and better integrate into the Cowboys’ offense. Essentially, it relieves some of the pressure for him to immediately step into a larger role he may not yet be ready for.