The Houston Texans are welcoming running back Joe Mixon with open arms after acquiring him in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. The team is preparing it for some fierce move in the upcoming draft, but trading for Mixon ahead of the draft was surely a big move.
General manager Nick Caserio expressed his enthusiasm about adding Mixon to the team during the voluntary offseason workouts. He revealed how his squad made right use of the opportunity to pick Mixon ahead of his release from the Bengals.
“Joe was set to be released…. So, to the earlier question, you get on the phone, talk to the team. ‘Hey, we’d be interested. Would you guys be willing to give up a pick, or if we gave up a pick would you be interested?’ That’s kind of how the trade was consummated,” Caserio said per NFL.com.
Caserio expects the veteran player to stay with the Texans for several seasons.
“Just relative to the commitment we made to Joe, Joe has been a productive player, pretty consistent player, and we think he can help our team. We’re glad he’s here hopefully for a few more years. That’s how that all sort of came together.”
Mixon brings a wealth of experience to the Texans backfield, with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons under his belt. His addition addresses a pressing need for Houston, especially after the departure of Devin Singletary to the New York Giants.
The offseason has been transformative for the Texans, marked by significant acquisitions such as wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and pass rusher Danielle Hunter. With the addition of Mixon, the Texans have made history by assembling a roster featuring players with impressive individual achievements. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is surely going to get a big boost with this roster full of immense talents.
Details about Joe Mixon’s trade to the Texans
The Bengals opted to trade Joe Mixon to the Texans instead of releasing him as initially planned. They had been in talks to sign free agent running back Zack Moss, signaling a potential departure for Mixon. While his departure may come as a surprise to some fans, it reflects the evolving nature of roster management in the NFL.
The trade saw Cincy receive a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Texans, marking their 10th selection in this year’s NFL Draft. This move adds to their draft assets, with two compensatory picks in the third and sixth rounds, along with the seventh rounder acquired for the running back.
Trading Joe Mixon provides immediate relief for the Bengals, as his $8.85 million salary cap figure would have posed a significant burden. The team saved $6.1 million on the cap by trading him, leaving only $2.75 million in dead money. It will allow them more flexibility in managing their roster and pursuing other opportunities.
