The Cincinnati Bengals proved just how ruthless running plays can be in the NFL. at first, According to reports The team waived top running back Joe Mixon on Monday night after seven years and immediately replaced him with former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract, according to ESPN. .
However, the Bengals were able to find a suitor for Mixon before releasing him to the Texans, according to CBS Sports' top NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Mixon, who turns 28 on July 24, ranks third in Bengals history in rushing yards (6,412) and second in rushing touchdowns (49), behind Pete Johnson's 64. He has 6,412 career rushing yards since entering the NFL as a secondary in 2017. The first-round pick out of Oklahoma State (48th overall) ranks fourth in the league over this span behind Nick Chubb (6,511), Ezekiel Elliott (7,273) and Derrick Henry (9,012). . Mixon has totaled over 1,000 rushing yards in four of his seven seasons, including 1,034 rushing yards in 2023. His 49 career rushing touchdowns are the eighth-most in the NFL since 2017.
Mixon also added value as a pass catcher, with 283 catches (seventh most in the NFL since 2017) and 2,139 receiving yards (seventh most in the NFL since 2017). Starting in 2021, only Austin Ekeler (44 yards) has recorded that in the past three seasons. (Scrimmage touchdowns) and Jalen Hurts (38 scrimmage touchdowns) found the end zone more often than Mixon, but trading him would save the team $6.1 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. He says it can be done.
The big contrast between Mixon and Moss, who turns 27 on Dec. 15, is their explosiveness on a per-carry basis. Mixon hasn't averaged more than 4.1 yards per carry since his second season in 2018. Moss has exceeded that number in three of his four seasons. He will set career highs in carries (183), rushing yards (794) and rushing touchdowns (8) in 2023, compared to Colts Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor, who missed seven games last season due to a contract hold. (weeks 1-4) and thumb injury (weeks 13-15).
Moss averaged 69.8 rushing yards per game as a starter in 2023 (starting eight games), which was the eighth-highest in the NFL last season. Now, the Bengals are looking forward to seeing if he can be more dynamic in a featured role.
As for the Texans, they have a replacement for Devin Singletary, who is currently a free agent and signed with the New York Giants.
