NFL
By Jalen Willingham
Joe Mixon’s time in Cincinnati may in fact be in question as to whether or not he remains in the orange and black next season. In order for the Cincinnati Bengals to remain at the top of the AFC as a Super Bowl contender, they will have to make some tough decisions as to who to extend and let go of, and Mixon may be someone that the front office may send packing.
After making the pro bowl in 2021, Joe Mixon had a down year where he had just 814 yards rushing and under 4 yards a carry. He did however still have 1255 yards from scrimmage with nine touchdowns. With his diminishing efficiency and explosive runs on the field, the Bengals need to determine whether or not they ask Mixon to take a pay cut or be replaced altogether.
While gearing up for the 2023 season, the elephant in the room has no doubt been paying Joe Burrow. Although the 26-year-old quarterback has said that the championship window is his entire career, there still needs to be great moves made all-around by the Bengals in the front office.
The small window of time given by quarterback Joe Burrow’s rookie contract allowed the Bengals to load up on talent and bigger contracts to make the team around the young quarterback the championship contender we know them to be today. One of the larger contracts at the time, which was already in place before Burrow played a down of NFL football, was the four-year $48 million extension given to Joe Mixon. That was given just 12 days before the start of the 2020 season. The saying “Don’t pay running backs,” has officially come full circle in Cincinnati.
On top of having to pay Burrow, the Bengals have to decide who to re-sign from safeties Jessie Bates and Von Bell, cornerbacks Eli Apple and Tre Flowers, linebackers Germaine Pratt and Joe Bachie, tight end’s Hayden Hurst and Drew Sample, backup running back Samaje Perine and much more. They will also have to come up with enough money for wide receiver Tee Higgins and linebacker Logan Wilson who were both drafted in 2020 with Burrow. Pro bowl receiver Ja’Marr Chase is a year away from contract talks as well. Even with the overall increase in salary cap numbers, it’d be best if the Bengals put more money and value in other position groups that need it.
It isn’t the 1990’s or 2000’s anymore. Running backs just don’t have the same value in a game where everyone is passing much more. The game has changed and running backs aren’t getting 300+ carries in a season today unless you’re Derrick Henry. In the pass-first offense that the Bengals will have going forward, they need a back who is efficient and keeps the opposing defense honest. The Kansas City Chiefs were able to do just that with seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco. If the Bengals want to make it back to the biggest stage in the future, expect to see a change in how Joe Mixon and the running back room is handled.
