Rumor has it wideout, a Patriots suitor, is opting for another trade

The Dallas Cowboys have reportedly acquired a wide receiver, likely ruling them out as a potential trade partner for the New England Patriots.

Dallas acquired second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo from the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, NFL Media's Tom Pelissero first reported. The Cowboys received Mingo and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fourth-rounder.

The deal came after the Cowboys were mentioned in trade speculation, including Patriots receiver Tyquan Thornton. Former NFL executive Mike Lombardi, a weekly guest on the NESN podcast “Foxboro Rush,” recently commented that the Cowboys were talking about Thornton.

The price Dallas paid for Mingo is a bit high compared to what other receivers were traded for. But Mingo, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has more than two seasons left on his rookie contract, which favored Carolina's return.

Mingo has already surpassed Thornton's production with 55 catches for 539 yards in 24 career games.

Thornton, a second-round pick of the Patriots by Bill Belichick in 2022, has one more season left on his rookie contract. He has 39 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns in 28 career games.