Back in May, Bengals player personnel director Duke Tobin said that the team was interested in extending RB Joe Mixon, and unsurprisingly, his stance has not changed.
“[Mixon] is an important part of our team,” Tobin said, via Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s a piece that we’d like to get extended and have around here a long time. Typically, our extensions have gotten done during camp at some point.”
As Dragon observes, Tobin’s statement that the team usually extends players during training camp is noteworthy, as it suggests that the team could finalize something with Mixon in the coming weeks. Indeed, WR Tyler Boyd signed his extension shortly before camp opened last year, and Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap got new deals in August 2018.
For now, Mixon is set to play out the 2020 season on the final year of his rookie deal, which would pay him a salary of just $1.2MM. Given his importance to the team and his performance to date, that would be a major underpay.
However, the 24-year-old is not necessarily trying to break the bank. Per Dragon’s sources, Mixon is hoping his next deal will land him among the eight highest-paid running backs in the league. That would mean an average annual value of at least $8MM, which seems like a reasonable ask.
At present, the Bengals have about $24MM of cap room, but with the salary cap set to drop significantly in 2021, any rollover money would be helpful. Still, the team’s cap situation shouldn’t be an obstacle to a Mixon extension.
Mixon’s YPC average dropped to 4.1 last season after a very strong 4.9 mark in 2018, but he didn’t have much talent around him. With A.J. Green back in the fold and Joe Burrow under center, Mixon — who has posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 rushing yards — could be in for a big year.
Resign him to a 5 year 15 m deal
3 mil a year? Lol…yeah good luck with that.
His agent would laugh at that offer.
If the Bengals could get him for under $10 million/season, that would be a steal imo. Mixon’s a top ten back with the ability to pass protect and catch complementing his elusive and shifty running style. He’s overlooked behind an atrocious offensive line and could be a real boon for Borrow in the backfield. It’s like Le’Veon Bell minus the attitude
Sign him up… he hits the hole hard and has good wiggle…. Burrow should smile when he looks over his shoulder ready to pound the rock
The Bengals time of possession has been anemic during his tenure so he still has fresh legs. He also hasn’t fumbled in his last 30 games so that is a big plus in a sport where turnovers make a big difference.
They’ll sign him 4-40-42
Sign him now ! He can hit the hole, your lady, his lady and the ATM all at the same time!