Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is facing speculation about his future with the team, with rumors swirling that he could be released in the offseason. Mixon, a consistent starter for the past seven years since being drafted in the second round in 2017, is entering the final year of his contract with an $8.5 million cap hit.
Cutting him would free up $5.75 million in cap space for the Bengals, who are facing financial pressures with upcoming expenses like Tee Higgins’ potential franchise tag and Joe Burrow’s increasing cap hit.
Despite the chatter, Mixon himself isn’t fazed. Taking to social media, he dismissed the rumors as “clown behavior,” noting similar speculation from the previous year that never materialized.
While there’s precedent for such rumors, as seen last year, there’s also acknowledgment that Mixon isn’t getting any younger and the team will need to consider financial constraints as Burrow’s contract demands rise. The running back position is seen as a luxury, and the Bengals might explore alternatives like utilizing younger talent such as Chase Brown or signing a cost-effective free agent like Zack Moss.
Ultimately, the decision on Mixon’s future remains speculative, with a 50/50 chance of him being cut. However, even if his time with the Bengals ends, there’s optimism that he could find a new opportunity elsewhere in the NFL despite not being in his prime anymore.
