It seemed like for most of the offseason that Pro Bowl Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon would be calling another NFL city home during the 2023 campaign.
That’s not going to be the case. Various media reports indicate that Mixon has agreed to restructure his contract ahead of Bengals training camp opening later this month.
Mixon, 26, had a non-guaranteed salary of $9.4 million in 2023 before the restructure. His cap hit was slated to be $12.76 million. Instead, the former second-round pick out of Oklahoma returns to Cincinnati at a lower number with one thing in mind.
“Joe’s goal is to win a Super Bowl and play his career in Cincinnati and this is the best way to accomplish these goals,” Joe Mixon’s agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With the Bengals throughout his six-year NFL career, Mixon has helped the team ascend from bottom feeder to Super Bowl contender throughout that span. He played a key role in Cincinnati earning a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, tallying 1,519 total yards and 16 touchdowns that season.
Joe Mixon career stats: 5,378 rushing yards, 1,763 receiving yards, 7,141 total yards, 50 TD
Cincinnati Bengals create cap room with latest move
Prior to restructuring Mixon, the Bengals were $15.7 million under the 2023 NFL salary cap. Based on our projections, Cincinnati saves another $4.3 million against the cap.
While there aren’t any specific rumors linking the Bengals to any free agency, numerous potential additions remain on the NFL free agent market with camps getting going here soon.
The biggest names include running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Neither position seems to be a need for the Bengals right now.
Cornerback could be a need with the likes of Marcus Peters, Ronald Darby, Casey Hayward, Shaquill Griffin and Bryce Callahan still available.
Either way, the Bengals gave themselves some more flexibility to add to a roster that should compete for the Lombardi Trophy in 2023.