The Dallas Cowboys, fresh off a 2025 NFL Draft that saw them bypass drafting a wide receiver, are back in the headlines as owner and general manager Jerry Jones dropped a tantalizing hint about a potential major move to bolster their receiving corps. Speaking at a post-draft press conference on April 26, 2025, Jones declared, “The train has not left the station,” signaling that the Cowboys are actively exploring trades or free agency to address their glaring need for a WR2 to complement star CeeDee Lamb. The comment, widely reported by outlets like ESPN and NFL.com, has ignited speculation and excitement among Cowboys fans, who are eager for a game-changer after a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024.

The Context: A Draft Without Receivers

The Cowboys entered the 2025 NFL Draft with high expectations to address multiple roster holes, particularly at wide receiver, where the departure of Michael Gallup and the underperformance of Jonathan Mingo left Lamb as the lone proven option. Despite holding the No. 12 overall pick and nine total selections, Dallas focused on fortifying their offensive and defensive lines, running back, and linebacker positions, selecting players like Alabama guard Tyler Booker, Texas running back Jaydon Blue, and Clemson running back Phil Mafah. For the first time since 2020, the Cowboys did not draft a wide receiver, a decision that raised eyebrows given the depth of the 2025 receiver class, which included talents like Tetairoa McMillan (selected by Carolina) and Travis Hunter.

The current receiver room—consisting of Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Parris Campbell, Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks, and Mingo—has been criticized for lacking a true No. 2 option. Mingo, acquired via a 2024 trade with Carolina for a fourth-round pick that became Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, has been a particular sore spot, managing just five receptions for 46 yards in eight games with Dallas. Posts on X have labeled the Mingo trade a “disaster,” with fans lamenting the missed opportunity to draft a running back like Etienne, who is seen as a dynamic addition to Carolina’s backfield.

Jerry Jones’ Cryptic Promise

Jones’ post-draft comments, as reported by dallascowboys.com and NBC Sports, suggest that the Cowboys are not content with their current receiver group. When asked about the lack of draft picks at the position, Jones said, “It was definitely a big time thought,” referring to potential trades, and added, “The train has not left the station if improvement is needed from what we’ve got on campus.” The phrase, echoed across X by reporters like Nick Harris and Garrett Podell, hints at ongoing discussions for a significant acquisition, either through a trade or free agency.

Jones also referenced “two pretty substantive trades” the team explored before the draft, though he offered no specifics. ESPN noted that the Cowboys have a history of midseason trades, such as acquiring Amari Cooper in 2018 for a first-round pick, a move that transformed their offense. Recent trades for players like quarterback Trey Lance, cornerback Kaiir Elam, and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. show Jones’ willingness to deal, but the failure to land a receiver in the draft has amplified the urgency.

Potential Targets: Veterans and Trade Candidates

Jones’ comments have fueled speculation about who the Cowboys might target. Several veteran free agents and trade candidates have been floated as possibilities:

• Keenan Allen: The former Chargers star, now a free agent, is a proven route-runner with 904 receptions and 10,530 yards in his career. At 33, he could provide a reliable WR2 for Dak Prescott, though his age and injury history are concerns.
• Amari Cooper: A familiar face, Cooper was traded by Dallas to Cleveland in 2022 but remains a productive receiver with 74 catches for 1,053 yards in 2024. A reunion could be appealing, especially given Jones’ past praise for Cooper’s route-running.
• Diontae Johnson: Traded from Pittsburgh to Carolina in 2024, Johnson has expressed frustration with the Panthers’ losing culture. His speed and separation skills make him a potential trade target, as noted by cowboyswire.usatoday.com.
• Tyler Boyd: A consistent slot receiver, Boyd’s 513 career catches and low drop rate could stabilize Dallas’ passing game, per Yardbarker.
• Odell Beckham Jr., DJ Chark, Nelson Agholor, Elijah Moore, Robert Woods: These veterans, all free agents or potential trade candidates, offer varying degrees of upside, though none match the star power of Allen or Cooper.

The Cowboys also signed undrafted free agents Traeshon Holden and Josh Kelly post-draft, but neither is expected to fill the WR2 role immediately. Jones’ mention of Mingo as a player who could “make a jump” in 2025, alongside optimism about Tolbert, suggests the team is hedging its bets but recognizes the need for a proven veteran.

Why the Move Matters

The Cowboys’ 7-10 record in 2024, their first losing season since 2020, exposed vulnerabilities in their offense, particularly at receiver. Lamb, who signed a record-breaking $136 million extension, remains a top-tier talent with 135 catches for 1,584 yards in 2024, but the lack of a complementary threat allowed defenses to double-team him. Tolbert (43 catches, 497 yards) and Mingo’s minimal output failed to alleviate the pressure, and Prescott’s absence due to a hamstring injury further highlighted the group’s weaknesses.

With new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and a revamped offensive line led by Booker, the Cowboys are banking on a bounce-back year in 2025. However, as Blogging The Boys noted, “Counting on Mingo or Tolbert as WR2 is not a responsible decision based on the facts.” A major receiver acquisition could unlock Prescott’s potential and elevate an offense that averaged just 21 points per game in 2024, down from 29.9 in 2023.

Fan and Analyst Reactions

Jones’ “train hasn’t left the station” comment has sparked a frenzy on X, with fans and analysts weighing in. @NickHarrisFWST tweeted, “Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones on addressing the WR position moving forward: ‘It definitely was a big time thought, and the train has not left the station,’” garnering thousands of likes. @AroundTheNFL amplified the quote, adding, “Jerry Jones says Cowboys could still add WR after passing in draft,” with a link to their analysis.

Fans are split. Some are optimistic, with one user posting, “If Jerry lands Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper, this offense is back in business! #CowboysNation.” Others are skeptical, citing Jones’ history of overpromising. “Jerry’s been saying ‘train hasn’t left’ for years, and we got Mingo for a 4th. Fool me once,” wrote another. Analysts like The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf cautioned that Mingo’s development remains key, but “the train comment suggests Jones knows they need more.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Acquiring a top receiver won’t be easy. The Cowboys’ limited cap space—projected at $16.5 million for 2025, per OverTheCap—complicates signing high-profile free agents like Allen, who may command $15 million annually. Trading for a player like Cooper or Johnson could require a mid-round pick, a steep price after losing their 2025 fourth-rounder in the Mingo deal. Jones’ reluctance to spend big in free agency, as noted by nfl.com, adds another hurdle, with Stephen Jones emphasizing draft-driven roster building.

Still, the Cowboys’ history of bold trades under Jones—Cooper in 2018, Brandin Cooks in 2023—suggests a deal is possible. The team’s No. 12 pick in the 2025 draft was used on Booker, but Jones hinted at trade discussions involving players, not just picks, per ESPN. The upcoming NFL trade deadline in November 2025 could be a key window, especially if teams like Carolina or Cleveland fall out of contention, making players like Johnson or Cooper available.

What’s Next?

The Cowboys’ offseason program, which began in April 2025, will provide clarity on Mingo and Tolbert’s progress, but Jones’ comments indicate action is imminent. Potential trade talks could heat up during OTAs or training camp, with free-agent signings possible as early as May. Schottenheimer’s offensive scheme, which emphasizes gap schemes and explosive plays, per dallascowboys.com, demands a receiver who can stretch the field, making a veteran like Allen or Cooper a schematic fit.

For now, Cowboys Nation is buzzing with anticipation. Jones’ “train hasn’t left the station” mantra has rekindled hope, but his track record—praised for Cooper but criticized for Mingo—means fans will demand results. As one X post put it, “Jerry better back up this talk with a WR who can actually catch. No more projects!” Whether through a blockbuster trade or a savvy free-agent signing, the Cowboys’ next move at receiver could define their 2025 season and determine if they can reclaim their status as NFC contenders.