RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals finalize new deal for 2023 NFL season

Running back Joe Mixon and the Cincinnati Bengals have recently reached a restructured contract agreement.

This contract officially secured Mixon’s place in the 2023 NFL season and marked the remaining two years he has left with the Bengals.

The running back has accepted a pay cut to continue with the team this season. Mixon initially signed a four-year, $48 million extension deal with Cincinnati in September 2020.

Under the new contract, Mixon’s base salary is slightly less than $6 million, but he can earn up to $8 million with additional incentives. Previously, he was set to receive over $9 million this season. But the Bengals did not guarantee that amount.

Before the restructuring, Mixon’s salary cap hit $12.8 million. However, the specific details of the revised contract remain undisclosed.

Sluggish market for RBs

Mixon’s restructured contract arrived just in time amid the recently sluggish market that seems to undervalue NFL running backs.

Other notable league running backs, like ex-Minnesota Vikings’ Dalvin Cook, New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, face challenges in getting fair compensation for their talent and contributions.

At first, there was uncertainty about Mixon’s non-guaranteed contract for the upcoming season. However, now he has solidified his position. Mixon will play a critical role in Cincinnati’s high-powered offense alongside quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who will lead the team.

The Bengals have made consecutive appearances in the AFC championship game and earned a Super Bowl berth in 2021. Now, they set their sights on clinching the first Lombardi Trophy in the 2023 season.

In the previous season, the 26-year-old Mixon accumulated 814 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on a 3.9 yards per carry average across 14 games. He also contributed with 60 receptions for 441 yards and two touchdowns.

Mixon is poised to lead Cincinnati’s running back group in the upcoming season. He will be playing alongside fifth-round rookie Chase Brown and fifth-year professional player Trayveon Williams.