The Cincinnati Bengals decided to part ways with running back Joe Mixon after seven seasons, trading him to the Houston Texans for a seventh-round draft pick earlier this offseason. Despite the move, Mixon hopes to one day return to Cincinnati, not as a player, but as an inductee into the team’s Ring of Honor.
Reflecting on his time with the Bengals, Mixon mentioned in a team website interview that players often don’t consider such accolades until they look back on their careers. He expressed gratitude for his time with the team and the fans, hoping to be remembered as someone who made a significant impact in Cincinnati.
Mixon, drafted in the second round in 2017, played nearly 100 regular-season games for the Bengals. He amassed 6,412 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns, along with 2,139 receiving yards and 13 additional touchdowns on 347 receptions. Additionally, in seven postseason games, he totaled 582 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.
At 28, Mixon is embarking on a new chapter with the Texans, who extended his contract by two years for nearly $20 million, now securing him through 2026. The Texans, aiming for Super Bowl contention, saw Mixon’s potential value to their team.
The Bengals, meanwhile, bolstered their running back roster by adding Zakk Moss and retaining Trayveon Williams and Chase Brown. Moss, who had 794 rushing yards and five touchdowns last year with the Colts, appears to be a sufficient replacement for Mixon.
In Bengals’ history, Mixon ranks third in rushing yards behind Corey Dillon and James Brooks, and second in rushing touchdowns behind Pete Johnson. Notably, he has only six fumbles in his career, the lowest among players with at least 1,000 rushes.
The Bengals’ Ring of Honor, established in 2021, has so far inducted Paul Brown, Ken Anderson, Anthony Muñoz, Ken Riley, Willie Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Boomer Esiason, and Chad Johnson. Mixon may be a candidate for future induction, but he faces tough competition from these esteemed players.
Currently, voting for the 2024 Ring of Honor class is open until June 7, with Dillon and Brooks among the nominees. Their induction would further strengthen Mixon’s case for his own future recognition.
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