Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon entered the offseason as a potential salary cap casualty, with his replacement likely found in the 2023 NFL Draft. As the team prepares for minicamp, Mixon’s fate with the club seems to be determined.
The Bengals lost running back Samaje Perine to the Denver Broncos and were in need of cap space to extend Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow. It led to increased speculation regarding Mixon’s future, especially after reports suggested there was an increasing chance he was cut.
- Joe Mixon stats (2022): 814 rushing yards, 47 first downs, 441 receiving yards
Designating Mixon as a post-June 1 release would’ve created $10.01 million in cap space for Cincinnati this upcoming season. However, it appears that option is no longer under serious consideration.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter that there is no longer momentum around cutting Mixon this year. Furthermore, the team’s plan this offseason was simply to improve its depth at running back rather than overhaul the position completely.
“They got it in the fifth round of the draft with running back Chase Brown out of Illinois. So, as of now, they appear set with their lineup and to try to run it back for a Super Bowl run.”
Jeremy Fowler on Joe Mixon’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals
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Instead, Cincinnati seems prepared to roll with Chase Brown as its replacement for Perine. The club is also keeping Trayveon Williams, who has been with the franchise since 2019 but received just 47 carries in four seasons.
With Mixon returning in 2023, the Bengals’ offense will largely look the same as it did last season. With the addition of Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle, though, Mixon could deliver a few more explosive runs this fall running behind an improved offensive line.