Cincinnati Bengals trading RB Joe Mixon to Houston Texans

The Bengals found a suitor for Joe Mixon and are trading the running back to the Houston Texans.

This is according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It was initially reported that the Bengals were releasing Mixon with free agency starting in full force.

Plot twist: The #Bengals are now trading Joe Mixon to the #Texans, rather than releasing him, sources say.

So Zack Moss signs in Cincy, Mixon is traded to Houston. From Joe Burrow to CJ Stroud. pic.twitter.com/TG0G3JMGMp

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024

On Monday, the Bengals officially moved on from Mixon, the former Oklahoma Sooner star, when Cincy signed Zack Moss, the former Indianapolis Colt, to a two-year, $8 million contract. It was believed the Bengals would simply release Mixon. But the Texans called.

And Mixon could be a terrific addition to Houston. Quarterback CJ Stroud, the NFL offensive rookie of the year, is headed into his second season. Stroud has good, young receivers surrounding him and a veteran tight end in Dalton Schultz. Now, the running game grows stronger.

Texans looked at signing Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley

In Mixon, the Texans are getting a running back who totaled four 1,000-yard seasons in his seven years in Cincinnati. The Bengals used a second-round pick to select Mixon back in 2017. Mixon also was a key member of the Bengals offense that took the team to the Super Bowl two years ago.

There had been reports early Tuesday that the Texans were thinking about signing Derrick Henry, the now former Tennessee Titan. Devin Singletary, who led the team in rushing last year, signed with the New York Giants, which lost Saquon Barkley, their star runner, to the Eagles. Coincidentally, the Texans also were in contact with Barkley before he signed with the Eagles.

So now the Texans will have Mixon and Dameon Pierce running the ball. Pierce had been RB1 coming into last season, but he dealt with ankle injuries throughout the year. That led to the emergence of Singletary, who had signed a one-year contract.

Neither the Bengals or Texans have revealed details of the Mixon trade. Houston may also be in the market for another running back to fill out the roster.