The Houston Texans have a running back.
General manager Nick Caserio made his biggest move of the offseason after he agreed to a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for star running back Joe Mixon, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Plot twist: The #Bengals are now trading Joe Mixon to the #Texans, rather than releasing him, sources say.
So Zack Moss signs in Cincy, Mixon is traded to Houston. From Joe Burrow to CJ Stroud. pic.twitter.com/TG0G3JMGMp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
Reports initially stated Mixon would be released after the Bengals signed Zack Moss on Monday.
There were rumblings of Houston’s interested in Mixon, Sports Illustrated’s Coty Davis reported Monday, after the Texans didn’t strike deals with any of the other big-name running backs like Saquon Barkley or Tony Pollard. Houston also let 2023 leading rusher Devin Singletary leave. Their interest must have been serious, Caserio declined to wait for the star running back to hit free agency and instead simply traded for the 27 year-old back.
Mixon played for the Bengals for the past seven years since he was drafted with the No. 48 pick in 2017. During that period he has rushed for more thn 1,000 yards in four different seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
He’s in the final year of his current deal and will be owed $5.75 million in 2024, $3 million of which will be guaranteed on March 17, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The other $2.2 million is Mixon’s base salary. He will also earn incentives for specific rushing yard milestones and a $500,000 Pro Bowl incentive bonus, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson:
- $250,000 for 1,100 yards
- $350,000 for 1,300 yards
- $500,000 for 1,500 yards
- $250,000 for 1,600 yards from scrimmage
- $350,000 for 1,800 yards from scrimmage
- $500,000 for 2,000 yards from scrimmage
- $250 for 10 total touchdowns
- $350,000 for 12 total touchdowns
- $500,000 for 14 total touchdowns.
- $500,000 Pro Bowl incentive
For the Texans, this answers a serious question over their running back dilemma. Mixon will be the starter and likely serve as a three-down back for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s offense. Dameon Pierce and potentially another free agent or rookie will serve as depth behind the veteran star.
This move should hopefully take pressure off of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud as well and create a more balanced attack than the team featured in 2024.