The Dallas Cowboys entered the NFL trade deadline losers of three straight games to fall to 3-5 and they had just received word that Dak Prescott's hamstring injury was worse than initially feared. They had all the makings of a seller.
Ever willing to zig while everyone around them zags, though, Dallas went out and acquired Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo for a fourth-round pick. It's not often that a trade is so obviously terrible for one side that said side is universally eviscerated. That's how the Mingo trade was received.
It was typical of the Cowboys to trade for a wide receiver after Prescott got injured. The fan base clamored all offseason and leading up to the Nov. 5 deadline for another weapon for Prescott, but the front office sat on its hands.
Notable names like Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Diontae Johnson and Mike Williams all got moved before deadline day. The Cowboys could've had any of them, but they liked that Mingo is under team control through the 2026 season.
Johnson, in particular, was extremely affordable. The Ravens acquired Johnson and a sixth-round pick from Carolina for a fifth-rounder. Johnson made for an ideal target, but perhaps Dallas' front office knew what it was doing by steering clear of the veteran.
Ravens suspending Diontae Johnson proves Cowboys dodged disaster
The Ravens have suspended Johnson one game for conduct detrimental to the team. The decision stems from Johnson refusing to enter Baltimore's Week 13 game against the Eagles. With the Ravens on a bye this week, Johnson's one-game ban won't go into effect until Week 15.
Statement from Ravens GM Eric DeCosta regarding the one-game suspension handed down today to Diontae Johnson: pic.twitter.com/S0jVjCxBj3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2024
A Pro Bowler in 2021, Johnson was viewed as a nifty addition to Baltimore's passing attack. The Panthers even agreed to pick up most of Johnson's remaining salary, which left the Ravens on the hook for a palatable $625,000 for the remaining 10 weeks of the season.
It was a low-risk move, but it has not worked out. Johnson has played just 39 snaps in four games, catching only one pass for six yards on five targets. Johnson was Carolina's leading receiver through seven games with 30 catches, 375 yards and three touchdowns, so it's not a talent issue.
The "diva WR" narrative has faded, but Johnson is undoubtedly one of the few left standing. That a respected head coach like Mike Tomlin traded Johnson is perhaps the biggest testament that his talent is not worth the baggage.
In fairness, Johnson is in a contract year. His production will carry significant weight in his next contract. He's not wrong about wanting a bigger role, but putting himself above the team in a huge game against a fellow contender may serve as a major red flag to potential free agency suitors.
Johnson only would have been a rental, but the Cowboys were smart to stay away.