The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the best and most improved in the NFL over the last couple of seasons behind the golden arm of quarterback Joe Burrow. However, he’s also had a willing partner in that progress, running back Joe Mixon.
Joe Mixon via Cincinnati Bengals YouTube
A product of The University of Oklahoma, Mixon has been a mostly steady performer for Cincy. Since entering the league in 2017, he’s notched three 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and 40 touchdowns on the ground.
His best year came in 2021 when he had 1205 yards for 13 TDs.
Joe Mixon via Cincinnati Bengals YouTube
Unfortunately, Joe Mixon couldn’t sustain his usual level of excellence in 2022. He ended a down year with 814 rushing yards and only 3.9 yards per carry. To be fair he did miss three games due to injury, however.
This comes after he had inked a four-year, $48 million contract extension, with his base salary now jumping to $8 million last season, $9.4 million in 2023, and $9.68 in 2024.
Joe Mixon via NFL YouTube
The performance on the field likely wouldn’t be an issue if not for some other factors involved. Under normal circumstances, the franchise could expect someone of Joe Mixon‘s ability and age (26) to still have plenty of gas left in the tank. So, it would be easy to blow his 2022 numbers off as a mere anomaly.
However, Mixon is also facing some legal questions going forward, which isn’t helping his cause.
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Joe Mixon is facing a charge of aggravated menacing, over accusations he pointed a gun at a woman during a road rage incident in January. Authorities originally charged Mixon with the incident in February, dropped the charge, then refiled it, following further investigation. It’s a first-degree felony that is punishable by up to six months in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
Mixon is scheduled to appear in court on April 19. In the meantime, his status as a Bengal may very well be in jeopardy. There’s already plenty of speculation that he might be cut in order to make proper adjustments when the NFL Draft rolls around at the end of this month.
Joe Mixon via Cincinnati Bengals YouTube
He could very well end up being a victim of the salary cap, as he’s set to earn $12,761,754 against the salary cap with a dead cap hit of $5.5 million. The franchise will soon have to deal with Joe Burrow’s contract extension, as well.
When asked about Joe Mixon’s status for the 2023 season, Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ Director of Player Personnel, was somewhat non-committal at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
Joe’s been a vital part of our team,” Tobin said. “He’s been a successful part of our team. Again, I’m not gonna predict the offseason because I don’t have the answers. In the words of the great Kevin Malone, ‘I don’t know.’”
However, he then added, “We’ll all see as the offseason goes what we’re able to get done and how the resources are spread around, but Joe’s been a vital part of our team, a successful part, a contributing part. And my job is to try to keep as many of those pieces around as we can.”