Report: Bengals trading former Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon to Texans, signing ex-Colt Zack Moss
The Cincinnati Bengals are not releasing running back Joe Mixon after all and will reportedly deal him to the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. This move comes after news that they are expected to sign former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss.
Moss is joining the Bengals on a two-year, $8 million deal, per NFL Network. Mixon, 27, will enter the second year of a restructured deal worth a total of $11.5 million.
Mixon has played his entire seven-season pro career with the Bengals since they selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He completed the fourth 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career last season while tallying 1,034 yards on 4 yards per carry. He added 52 catches for 376 yards and tallied 12 touchdowns from scrimmage.
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For his career, Mixon has averaged 1,222 yards from scrimmage per season and tallied 62 total touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021, the same season the Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl.
The Texans were looking to add to their running back room after Devin Singletary joined the New York Giants.
Moss emerged as a reliable starter in Indianapolis in eight 2023 starts when Jonathan Taylor was sidelined. In 14 total appearances, he tallied 794 yards on 4.3 yards per carry and caught 27 passes for 192 yards while posting seven total touchdowns. He did so as a part-time starter alongside Taylor.
Barring another addition to the Bengals' backfield, Moss projects as the clear No. 1 back on a team that employed Mixon heavily as a feature back. He'll take on that role a year younger than Mixon and on a cheaper contract. His departure from Indianapolis leaves the Colts in need of a reliable backup to Taylor.
