Bengals trade Joe Mixon to Texans after reportedly signing Zack Moss to two-year, $8 million contract
The Cincinnati Bengals showed how ruthless the running back is in the NFL it really can be. Initially, The reports were that The team released its top running back of seven years, Joe Mixon, on Monday night, immediately replacing him with former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (two-year, $8 million contract). by ESPN.
However, the Bengals were able to find a suitor for Mixon before having to release him as they will be sending him to the Texans, CBS Sports reported. NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Mixon, who will turn 28 on July 24, ranks third in Bengals history in rushing yards (6,412) and second in rushing touchdowns (49), behind only Pete Johnson's 64. Oklahoma's first-round pick's 6,412 career rushing yards since entering the NFL in 2017 as a second-round pick (48th overall) are the fourth-most in the league in that span, trailing only Nick Chubb (6,511 ), Ezekiel Elliott (7,273) and Derrick Henry (9,012). Mixon totaled more than 1,000 rushing yards in four of his seven seasons, including 1,034 in 2023. His 49 career rushing touchdowns are the eighth-most in the NFL since 2017.
Mixon also added value as a receiver with 283 receptions (seventh most in the NFL since 2017) and 2,139 receiving yards (seventh most in the NFL since 2017. In the last three seasons, since 2021, only Austin Ekeler (44 touchdowns from scrimmage) and Jalen Hurts (38 touchdowns from scrimmage) found the end zone more often than Mixon. However, trading him will save the team $6.1 million in cap space, by Spotrac.
The big contrast between Mixon and Moss, who will turn 27 on Dec. 15, is their rushing explosion. Mixon hasn't averaged more than 4.1 yards per carry since his sophomore season in 2018. Moss has surpassed that number in three of his four seasons. He posted career highs in carries (183), rushing yards (794) and rushing touchdowns (eight) in 2023 while replacing Colts Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor, who missed seven games last season due to to a contract termination (Weeks 1-4) and a thumb injury (Weeks 13-15).
Moss averaged 69.8 rushing yards per game as a starter (eight starts) in 2023, the eighth-highest number in the NFL last season. Now, the Bengals hope to find out if he can be more dynamic in a featured role.
As for the Texans, they now have a replacement for Devin Singletary, who signed with the New York Giants in free agency.
