During the initial days of free agency, the running back room of the Cincinnati Bengals was shaken up.
Pro Bowler Joe Mixon is being shipped by the team to the Houston Texans, as reported by a source who spoke with Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY Sports. The speaker only agreed to remain anonymous since they were not allowed to share the specifics of the agreement. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network broke the story first.
NFL Media said on Monday night that Mixon would be freed. The Bengals will sign Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The official start of the new league year is on Wednesday, which also happens to be the date of free agency deals.
Mixon is headed to Houston, where run game improvement will be prioritized, according to coach DeMeco Ryans’ post-season remarks.
“I think the running game will be significant for us to improve,” Ryans stated. “Teams who win (have to) be able to run the football and sustain it as the game progresses, especially in postseason play. We’ll check in with every player and position on our team. Nick (Caserio) and I will review the roster to determine where we need to make improvements. Our task is to make the greatest roster improvements we can.”
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After being selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, Mixon played for them for seven seasons. Including last year, when he amassed 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns, he had four seasons with 1,000 yards or more. In 2021, he was selected to the Pro Bowl following a 1,205-yard rushing campaign that included 13 touchdowns.
There was a gunshot close to Mixon’s house a year ago. A number of charges, including felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and obstructing justice, were brought against his sister and her boyfriend. In the event, the running back was not charged.
After being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Moss will be starting his fifth season in the league. In 2022, he was dealt for Nyheim Hines to the Indianapolis Colts. Moss recorded two games with 100 yards while All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor missed the first part of the previous campaign due to an injury. He rushed for 165 yards and two scores in a Week 5 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
