'Lifelong Impact!': Joe Mixon Says Goodbye To Bengals After Texans Trade
Joe Mixon is ready to punch his way into the end zone for the Houston Texans as the new lead tailback, but first, he has to say goodbye to Who Dey Nation.
Mixon, whom Houston traded for Tuesday afternoon following a seven-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals, posted to his social media accounts a goodbye to the fans of the AFC North franchise and the city for loving him like a native.
"I've built so many friendships and relationships in Cincinnati over the past 7 years that will have a lifelong impact. All I ever wanted to accomplish for Cincinnati was winning football games and bringing back a championship ring," Mixon wrote.
Drafted out of Oklahoma in 2017, Mixon established himself as one of the league's top backs, consistently pushing forward as the franchise went from AFC bottom-dweller to conference contender. Mixon, 27, was arguably the first of the young corps along with Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, Logan Wilson, Trey Henderickson and Ja'Marr Chase to join 'The Jungle' en route to winning to conference title in 2021.
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A consistent chain mover, Mixon rushed for over 1,000 yards four times in his tenure with Cincinnati. He posted a 4.1 yards per contact and racked up 62 total touchdowns. His best season came in 2021, when rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 TDs as the Bengals reached the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989.
"Bringing life back to the city and fans in the last couple of years is a feeling like no other. The real fans support never wavered," Mixon said.
Mixon also thanked the fans for putting their faith in him to be the leading man as a young tailback out of the Big 12 still trying to find his footing. During his time at Oklahoma, Mixon earn All-Conference honors after rushing for 1,274 yards in 2016.
"You took a chance on a 20 year kid and made me feel loved since day one," Mixon concluded. "It’s hard to put into words what this place and the people mean to me. Thank you for helping me live out my dream. Cincinnati is a place I’ll forever call home. 28 out."
Mixon was expected to be released from Cincinnati after the Bengals reached an agreement with Indianapolis Colt running back Zach Moss on a two-year deal Monday night. After missing on several running backs in free agency, Houston couldn't afford to let Mixon hit the open market and agree to a long-term deal.
The Texans tried to re-sign lead back Devin Singletary following a promising season, but he elected to sign a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the New York Giants. The Texans finished 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards and 23rd in rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Mixon joins a promising offensive personnel headlined by Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud as an upgrade over last season's options. He's coming off a promising season where he totaled 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. He also caught 52 passes for 376 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The 27-year-old currently is in the final year of his contract and due $5.75 million in 2024 with a roster bonus slated for March 18. He'll split carries with Dameon Pierce, who struggled to regain his consistency following a promising rookie season in 2022.
