Being around long as an NFL running back is an achievement on its own. The Cincinnati Bengals have rostered great ballcarriers in the past, and Joe Mixon has done more than most of them simply by suiting up throughout his career. 

With rumors and concerns lurking over his head, Mixon's future with the Bengals looks very unclear beyond the 2023 season. At the very least, he'll stick around this year and continue carrying the load when Joe Burrow doesn't drop back to pass. 

However much time he has left, there's enough remaining for him to rise up on several franchise record lists.  

Mixon may not become an all-time leader in any major category when 2024 comes around, but he can establish himself as one of the best all-around backs in Bengals history just for being healthy this year. Doing well in these five volume categories will confirm that.

Rushes

Current total: 1,314 (fifth place)
Mark to reach: 1,442 (second place)
2023 goal: 128 

128 carries would eclipse Rudi Johnson on the all-time list. This is just a given if Mixon stays healthy. While the Bengals' offense doesn't call for run plays as often as when Mixon was first coming into the league, he'll still get at minimum 10 carries a game on average. The record of 1,865, set by Corey Dillon, is still well out of reach.

Rushing Yards

Current total: 5,378 (fifth place)
Mark to reach: 6,448 (second place)
2023 goal: 1,070

1,070 yards would pass James Brooks on the all-time list. In the four years Mixon has played near a full season, he's averaged 1,081 yards. This will be a close call unless he exceeds 250 carries, which is still very much in play. Dillon is also the record holder for yards at 8,061, so that's not getting topped any time soon. 

Rushing Touchdowns

Current total: 40 (fourth place)
Mark to reach: 49 (second place)
2023 goal: Nine

Nine touchdowns on the ground would surpass Rudi Johnson on the all-time list. It's a commendable goal for Mixon as he's only scored more than eight touchdowns in a season once, when he scored 13 in 2021. Just three of Mixon's career rushing touchdowns have come from beyond the red zone, which has hindered him from finding the end zone more. Unless he puts up 2006 LaDanian Tomlinson numbers out of nowhere, don't expect him to post 25 touchdowns and pass current all-time record holder Pete Johnson.

Receptions

Current total: 231 (third place)
Mark to reach: 298 (second place)
2023 goal: 67 

67 receptions would push down Brooks on the all-time running back list. This seems bold, but Mixon's role this season might have him achieving it. He caught 60 passes last season despite missing two games. With the running back room changed up from last year, the Bengals should utilize Mixon more in the passing game to get the most value out of him. Just don't expect him to haul in 112 receptions and pass former teammate Giovani Bernard on the all-time list. 

Receiving Touchdowns

Current total: 10 (third place)
Mark to reach: 12 (second place)
2023 goal: Two

Two touchdowns through the air would surpass both Bernard and Essex Johnson on the all-time running back list. It may not seem like much, but Mixon has just 10 receiving touchdowns in his career. But he has had at least two in each of the last two seasons with Burrow as his quarterback.

Bengals: The part of Joe Mixon’s game that must improve

Due for regression back to the mean.

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