Dallas Cowboys fans were left disappointed as the NFL trade deadline came and went without the big moves they’d hoped for to boost the team’s slim playoff chances. Despite expectations for a notable acquisition, the Cowboys only made a minor move, acquiring wide receiver Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers. Mingo, who has had a modest season so far, recording just 12 receptions for 121 yards over nine games, was traded to Dallas in exchange for a seventh-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The lack of significant action at the trade deadline is a tough blow for Cowboys fans, who had anticipated a more aggressive approach to strengthen their lineup and make a late-season push for the playoffs. With the team struggling at 3-5, many fans saw the deadline as a pivotal moment to salvage what remains of a challenging season. However, Mingo’s acquisition, while adding depth, doesn’t bring the high-impact talent some hoped would help turn their fortunes around.
Adding to the Cowboys’ challenges, starting quarterback Dak Prescott is now sidelined after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott, a critical piece of Dallas’ offense, is expected to miss a few weeks while he recovers. If the injury requires surgery, it could keep him out for the rest of the season, a scenario that would deal a severe blow to the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs.
The timing of Prescott’s injury couldn’t be worse, as Dallas faces an increasingly tough schedule ahead. With several competitive matchups looming, the team’s path to the playoffs appears even more difficult. Losing their starting quarterback in the midst of an already difficult season is a setback that could prove insurmountable for Dallas, especially with a schedule that leaves little room for error.
At the beginning of the season, expectations for the Cowboys were already tempered, with many doubting that they could contend at a high level. Now, with Prescott sidelined and a trade deadline that delivered minimal impact, those early-season doubts seem increasingly justified. The Cowboys, once a hopeful playoff contender, now face an uphill battle to turn their season around.
