National media outlet names the Bengals player most likely to be released this offseason
Pro Football Focus recently named each NFL team's top "cut candidate" and they went with an unsurprising choice for the Cincinnati Bengals. PFF's Brad Spielberger thinks running back Joe Mixon, a Pro-Bowler in 2021, is the Bengals' top cut candidate. From PFF: With a lot of tough decisions coming for the Bengals' front office in […]
Pro Football Focus recently named each NFL team's top "cut candidate" and they went with an unsurprising choice for the Cincinnati Bengals.
PFF's Brad Spielberger thinks running back Joe Mixon, a Pro-Bowler in 2021, is the Bengals' top cut candidate.
With a lot of tough decisions coming for the Bengals' front office in the near future, clearing around $10 million in cash and more than $7 million in 2023 cap by moving on from Mixon could help them retain some younger talent. Mixon’s 0.11 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt in 2022 ranked 72nd out of 87 running backs with at least 25 rushing attempts, his 3.9 yards per carry ranked 65th and he posted just 16 explosive rushes on 210 attempts.
Mixon did have a great performance against the Buffalo Bills in a dominant snow game outing in the divisional round, but that was after carrying the ball 11 times for just 39 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round. He ended his year with eight carries for 19 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in the conference championship game.
This seems like an easy decision for the Bengals.
Mixon saw fewer snaps in the AFC Championship game than fellow former Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine. I don't know if that's a sign of Cincinnati's plans for Mixon, but it's certainly telling. The Bengals clearly preferred Perine in the most important game of the year over Mixon.
The Bengals need to create as much cap space as possible due to Joe Burrow's expected contract extension this offseason and Ja'Marr Chase's extension in 2023.
Releasing Mixon would create a little over $7 million in cap space in 2023. That would help the Bengals address other needs while also extending Burrow (though Burrow's looming extension probably won't impact Cincinnati that much in 2023).
Moving on from Mixon might be a move that fans will love, but it would probably be a good move for the Bengals when it comes to roster management this upcoming season.
Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC
