After missing out on Saquon Barkley, the Houston Texans have their running back.
Houston is set to acquire Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals, who previously planned to release the high-priced veteran, according to NFL Media.
Mixon, 27, rushed for nine touchdowns and 1,034 yards in 2023, marking his fourth time eclipsing 1,000 yards in seven career seasons. Originally a second-round pick out of Oklahoma, the durable Mixon scored 62 total touchdowns in those seven seasons, all with Cincinnati.
He joins a Texans backfield that just lost leading rusher Devin Singletary, who agreed Monday to a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Giants. The Giants hope Singletary, who totaled 1,091 scrimmage yards last year, can help replace the superstar Barkley, who spent his first six seasons with Big Blue.
Houston was in on Barkley before the two-time Pro Bowler reached a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. The Texans want to build on a 2023 season in which rookie quarterback CJ Stroud led them to a 10-7 record, an AFC South title and a playoff win.
Trading Mixon saves the Bengals $6.1 million of what would have been a $8.85 million cap hit had they kept him. On Monday, the Bengals reached a two-year, $8 million deal with Zack Moss, who rushed for a career-high 794 yards with Indianapolis last season.
Mixon joins a Texans running back room that also includes former fourth-round pick Dameon Pierce, who struggled to 2.9 yards per carry last season after rushing for 939 yards on 4.3 yards per carry as a rookie in 2022.
